Egg Prices Rise to N8,500

Lagos poultry farmers and traders have identified a severe shortage of Day-Old-Chicks (DOCs) as the primary cause of rising egg prices and looming scarcity. In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, stakeholders revealed that the poultry sector faces a critical supply gap.

Farm-gate prices for a crate of eggs have jumped to ₦5,500, up from ₦5,000 in January. Retail prices now range between ₦6,000 and ₦8,500 depending on the outlet.

Mr Mojeed Iyiola, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State Chapter, explained that hatcheries are currently overbooked. Farmers looking to restock their pens must now wait until December for deliveries. He noted that the price of a single chick has nearly doubled from ₦1,800 last year to ₦3,300 today.

This scarcity stems largely from government restrictions on importation licences for “parent stock,” which are essential for producing new chicks.

The National President of the Egg Sellers and Distributors Association, Mrs Olaide Graham, confirmed that many farmers paid for supplies over six months ago but have received nothing. She added that high fuel prices have also increased transportation costs, further bloating the final price for consumers.

Graham urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to intervene by granting more import licences to boost local production and replace ageing, less productive birds.

The situation has left many Lagos residents struggling to afford what was once the most accessible protein source. Consumers in areas like Gbagada and Alimosho lamented that egg prices have become unpredictable.

Many parents noted they have no choice but to pay the higher rates because eggs remain a vital part of their children’s diets. Both farmers and consumers are now calling for urgent federal intervention to prevent the crisis from worsening.