Egg Crisis: The Soaring Price of N6,000 Crates and Nigeria’s Nutritional Dilemma
The price of eggs, once a staple in many Nigerian homes, has skyrocketed beyond the reach of millions, with a crate now selling for as high as N6,000. This sharp rise from less than N3,000 just a year ago is leaving families struggling to afford the essential protein source. The root of the crisis lies in the rising costs of poultry inputs, particularly feed, maize, and soybeans, compounded by Nigeria’s ongoing fuel price surge and inflationary pressures.
A metric ton of maize, a primary component in poultry feed, has seen a dramatic increase in cost, jumping from N480,000 in 2023 to N710,000 today—a 48% rise. Soybeans, another critical feed ingredient, has almost doubled in price, surging from N425,000 per metric ton to N837,000 within the same period. These rising input costs have pushed the price of poultry feed to more than N20,000 per bag, up from N9,000 last year, forcing many farmers out of business and shrinking the industry by nearly half.
According to Pius Aminu, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in the FCT, the escalating cost of eggs is leading to nutritional deficiencies across the country. Aminu has called for a state of emergency on egg production, emphasizing that the country cannot afford to turn to egg importation.
“The poultry industry is a major source of employment for low-income groups,” Aminu stated. “With the closure of hundreds of farms, unemployment is on the rise, and the nation’s nutritional security is at risk.”
Beyond the economic challenges, Nigeria’s insecurity crisis has also contributed to the problem. Insecure farmlands have reduced maize production by 50%, leaving the poultry industry short of the four million metric tons of maize it requires annually. This shortage, paired with rising inflation and foreign exchange volatility, has created a perfect storm for the industry. Farmers like Onallo Akpan, an Abuja-based poultry farmer, report that demand for eggs has plummeted as inflation squeezes consumer purchasing power, forcing many to cut down on food essentials.
Despite these challenges, industry leaders are urging the government to act swiftly. Addressing insecurity, stabilizing foreign exchange, and providing incentives to farmers are critical steps to reviving egg production and making it affordable again. Nigeria’s protein intake per capita remains below the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s recommended levels, and the continued strain on the poultry industry could lead to deeper nutritional and economic crises if not urgently addressed.
As the country grapples with these challenges, the rising price of eggs is just one more reminder of the larger food security issues Nigeria must confront to ensure a healthy and thriving population.
