News in Brief:
-Rising production costs and chick shortages are forcing Kano poultry farms to shut down, leading to egg price hikes and potential scarcity, especially with Ramadan approaching.
-The poultry association urges for improved security, production support, and accessible loans for farmers to address the crisis.
Kano residents face rising egg prices and potential scarcity as farms close due to high production costs, according to a report by a media out. With the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan approaching, concerns grow about affordability of poultry products.
Increased production cost is one of the major cause of the crisis plaguing the industry. The price of essential feed ingredients like maize and soya mill has spiked significantly on a year-on-year basis. Maize, for example, was 79% more expensive by December 2023 compared to its price the preceding year. Besides inputs, transportation costs have also risen due to fuel subsidy removal and insecurity. Limited hatchery capacity is forcing farmers to pay higher prices for chicks, pushing many out of business.
Due to these challenges in the industry, some merchants are allegedly hoarding eggs to capitalise on Ramadan demand, further exacerbating the scarcity.
Impact and concerns for Nigerians
Egg are priced at about â¦110 on average, according to a recent survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and even as high as â¦135 in some places, are already considered high, yet prices are still rising.
Residents are afraid that poultry products will become unaffordable during Ramadan, a period characterised by increased food consumption.
Overall, it is estimated that over 85% of poultry farms have closed down in the past six months in Kano state and a more conservative 50% in the entire country.
Therefore, in a bid to stem the worrying tide, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has proposed specific solutions. These include improved security to enable farmers access their farms. Other measures are the increased production of eggs through support for real farmers, and the introduction of realistic and accessible loans for farmers.
