Nigerians Groan as Egg Prices Soar to N8,500 Per Crate, May Hit N10,000
The economic crunch in Nigeria has deepened with a sharp spike in egg prices, pushing this once-affordable protein source beyond the reach of many citizens. Previously retailing between N6,000 and N6,500 per crate, eggs now cost as much as N8,500, marking an increase of over 30.77 per cent. Market investigations reveal that farm gate prices have risen to about N5,500 per crate, up from N5,000 in January, while supermarkets and large grocery stores are charging up to N8,500 due to added distribution and operating costs.
Scarcity and Supply Chain Issues Drive Price Hikes
According to findings from The Guardian, individual egg prices have jumped from N200-N250 to N300-N350 within a fortnight. The primary driver behind this supply squeeze is a severe shortage of day-old chicks (DOC). Mojeed Iyiola, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Lagos State, warned that without drastic measures, a crate of eggs could soon hit N10,000. He explained that most old layers have been sold off, and poultry farmers lack access to DOCs, with bookings taking up to five months and delivery delays extending the timeline further.
Iyiola noted, "DOC is very tight; booking can take almost five months, and it will take another five months before the birds start laying eggs. This will surely impact egg availability." He added that high fuel costs contribute to price surges, as transporting eggs from farms incurs additional expenses, including broken eggs. The price of a DOC has nearly doubled from N1,800 last year to N3,300, exacerbating farmers' financial burdens.
Farmers Face Dual Dilemmas Threatening Livelihoods
Beyond the DOC shortage, poultry farmers are grappling with two critical challenges: rising feed costs and lack of patronage. The cost of feed, particularly maize, has skyrocketed, forcing many farmers to shut down their businesses. Those who remain operational are recording losses due to reduced demand. PAN statistics indicate that over 30 per cent of farms closed in the first half of 2024 alone, with farmers increasingly deserting the industry for more lucrative ventures.
The situation worsened after the government's economic policies took effect on May 29, 2025, with a 50 per cent monthly hike in maize prices. This not only drove up egg prices but also increased costs for birds and other poultry products, leading many to abandon the business when they couldn't break even. Tolulope Daramola, a poultry farmer and founder of Menitos Farms in Lagos, lamented the industry's plight, stating she was forced to stop egg production entirely as it became unsustainable.
Calls for Government Intervention and Emergency Measures
PAN has repeatedly warned that without urgent support, egg prices could escalate to N10,000 per crate. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of PAN has called on the Federal Government to declare an emergency on egg production, citing a serious decline in protein intake among Nigerians. They emphasized that the country cannot afford to depend on egg imports and must bolster local production to ensure food security.
As consumers groan under the weight of these price increases, the future of Nigeria's poultry industry hangs in the balance. Immediate action is needed to address the DOC shortage, reduce feed costs, and support farmers to prevent further economic hardship and safeguard the nation's food supply.
