•May hit N10,000 as produce scarcity looms

The impact of the economic crunch on Nigerians has been aggravated once again by a fresh spike in egg prices.

Previously sold between N6,000 and N6,500 per crate at the retail level, the price has increased to N8,500 per crate as scarcity intensifies in parts of the country.

Egg, considered the most affordable source of protein, is beyond the reach of the masses, as prices have increased by over 30.77 per cent.

Market findings show that farm gate prices climbed to about N5,500 per crate, from N5,000 in January, depending on size, while supermarkets and large grocery stores push prices as high as N8,500, reflecting added distribution and operating costs.

From The Guardian findings, an egg sold for between N200 and N250 a fortnight agonow sells for N300 to N350.

This problem has been attributed to the shortage of day-old chicks (DOC) as the primary driver behind the supply squeeze.

The Chairman, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State, MojeedIyiola, told The Guardian, yesterday, that with the development, a crate of eggs might hit N10,000 soon, unless drastic measures are taken to address the challenges.

He said: “The major reason for the looming scarcity of eggs is that most old layers have been sold off and poultry farmers have no access to DOCs. It’s the lack of DOCs that is driving the nationwide egg shortage.

“DOC is very tight; booking of DOCs can take up to almost five months to get it out. It will take another five months before the birds start laying eggs. This will surely impacteggs availability. Poultry farmers have no access to DOCs because all hatcheries are fully booked, till December. Even our national body has tried to intervene on this matter.”

Iyiola noted that the association would be meeting with the egg sellers very soon on the development, adding that the high cost of fuel also contributed to the price surge, as transporting the eggs from the farm gate, including the cost of broken eggs, adds to the price surge.

“Initially, we were thinking that hatcheries were exporting their DOCs because of the hard currency they were collecting, but that’s not the case now. When farmers go to the hatcheries to book for DOCs, aside from unavailability every week, the prices go up.

“From N1, 800 last year, the price of a DOC has almost doubled to N3,300. When farmers make their bookings, they are given a five to six-month waiting period before delivery. Then, the farmers will incur more costs to rear the DOC for another four or five months before they will start laying,”Iyiola said.

Aside the issue of DOCs, reports have it that the farmers are facing two serious dilemmas, threatening the livelihoods of thousands and potentially impacting food security.

While the rising cost of feed, particularly maize, and the inability to feed their birds have forced many to abruptly close their businesses, those who have struggled to stay afloat are recording losses due to a lack of patronage.

According to available statistics made available by the PAN, in the first half of 2024 alone, over 30 per cent of farms shutdown across Nigeria, and since then, almost on daily basis, the farmers are deserting the industry for other lucrative businesses.

The Guardian investigations revealed that, though the farmers have been facing a tough time since the administration’s economic policies took effect on May 29, 2025, the 50 per cent monthly hike in maize prices introduced by the government worsened their plight.

This not only led to an increase in egg prices, but also in the prices of birds and other poultry products, and forced many to abandon the business when they couldn’t break even.

Few months ago, PAN warned that if urgent steps are not taken to support poultry farmers, prices of eggs may increase to N10,000 per crate.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, which raised this alarm, said the Federal Government must, as a matter of urgency, declare an emergency on egg production, given the serious decline in protein intake, saying Nigerians cannot afford to depend on the importation of eggs.

A poultry farmer based in Lagos, Tolulope Daramola, who is the Founder, Menitos Farms, rued the situation of the industry. She told The Guardian that the misfortune of the industry might worsen, noting that she was forced to stop egg production completely, as it is no longer sustainable.(The Guardian)