Nigerian households are affected by rising egg prices.
Since the cost of a crate of eggs increased to N6,000 from less than N3,000 a year ago, many Nigerian homes now consider them a luxury. A significant section of the population can no longer afford eggs due to this sharp increase, which has heightened worries over the nation’s growing nutritional inadequacies.
Feed expenses and inflation are the main causes of price increases.
The soaring cost of chicken feed is the main cause of the increase in egg prices. Over the past year, there has been a notable increase in the cost of essential feed materials like soybeans and maize. AFEX Commodity Exchange data shows that the price of maize, a key ingredient in chicken feed, has increased by 48% to N710,000 per metric ton from N480,000 the previous year. Likewise, the.The price of a metric ton of soybeans has increased from N425,000 to N837,000, almost doubling. Furthermore, the price of a bag of chicken feed has more than doubled from N9,000 in 2023 to N20,000.
Effects on Farmers of Poultry
Many poultry farms are now out of business as a result of the escalating costs of inputs. The situation has resulted in the closure of hundreds of chicken farms nationwide, which has made the unemployment issue worse, according to Pius Aminu, chairman of the chicken Association of Nigeria (PAN), FCT Chapter. Four to five people are usually employed by each farm, thus even a small number of farms closing has led to a large loss of jobs.
Demand Government Involvement
Aminu has demanded that a state of emergency be proclaimed by the federal government on the price of a metric ton of soybeans has increased from N425,000 to N837,000, almost doubling. Furthermore, the price of a bag of chicken feed has more than doubled from N9,000 in 2023 to N20,000.
Effects on Farmers of Poultry
Many poultry farms are now out of business as a result of the escalating costs of inputs. The situation has resulted in the closure of hundreds of chicken farms nationwide, which has made the unemployment issue worse, according to Pius Aminu, chairman of the chicken Association of Nigeria (PAN), FCT Chapter. Four to five people are usually employed by each farm, thus even a small number of farms closing has led to a large loss of jobs. demand Government Involvement aminu has demanded that a state of emergency be proclaimed by the federal government on egg production to counteract the steep drop in the cost and availability of eggs. He underlined that urgent action is required to avoid a full-blown nutritional catastrophe and cautioned that the nation cannot afford to rely solely on egg imports.
The volatility of fuel prices and foreign exchange
The cost of eggs has increased due to feed expenses as well as changes in foreign exchange and high gas prices. Nigeria’s unstable currency rates have made it more expensive to purchase necessary inputs, which has had a significant negative impact on the poultry industry. Egg production has become even more costly as a result of increased transportation and operating expenses brought on by increases in fuel prices.
Insecurity and Supply Chain Disruptions
Disruptions to the supply chain, especially those associated with insecurity in important areas that produce maize, have also Insecurity and Supply Chain Disruptions Egg prices have also increased as a result of supply chain disruptions, especially those associated with insecurity in important maize-producing regions. Due to insecurity, Nigeria’s maize production has decreased by 50% in the last year, according to Sunday Ezeobiora, president of PAN. The country’s current output is projected to be 7 million metric tons. Over 4 million metric tons of maize are needed annually for the chicken industry alone, resulting in a shortage of supplies that has driven up prices. Declining Value of the Poultry Industry These difficulties have caused Nigeria’s poultry sector to lose value. According to Ezeobiora, the industry’s value decreased by 45% between 2022 and 2024, from N10 trillion to N5.5 trillion. This decrease illustrates the noteworthy influence of escalating expenses, diminishing consumer desire, and more obstacles confronting the industry.Inflation and Consumer Purchasing Power
The problem has gotten worse due to inflation, which has reduced Nigerian consumers’ purchasing power. Many people are reducing their egg intake because of the high cost, as headline inflation in Nigeria was 32.15% in August 2024. The industry’s problems have been made worse by a steep decline in demand for eggs and other chicken products, according to poultry farmers like Onallo Akpan, who is headquartered in Abuja.Security and agricultural assistance are urgently needed.
In order to allow farmers to return to their farms and boost maize output, farmers and industry leaders are pleading with the government to solve the issue of insecurity. The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) president, Ibrahim Kabiru, stated that he had to close.
Reactions on Social Media
@EmekaNjoku: “A crate of eggs for N6,000? How are families expected to pay for the necessities of life? “#NigeriaInflation”
@ZainabKano: “Prices for eggs are soaring! The government must immediately declare an emergency regarding egg production. “#PoultryCrisis”
@BolaAdebayo: “Eggs used to cost N3,000, but now they cost N6,000. Something must give! #NigerianEconomy.
@AhmedUsman: “Families are finding it more difficult to put food on the table as a result of the increase in egg prices. What comes next? #FoodPrices.
@TitiOlowo: “Eggs will soon become a luxury item in Nigeria if current trends continue. “#EggCrisis”
@IfeomaNwosu: “We don’t have eggs in our meals because of the cost. The speed at which things have altered is astounding. “#NigeriaInflation”
@ChinonsoEke: “Consider spending N6,000 on eggs when wages stay the same. It’s a crisis. “PoultryPrices”
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