Nigerian poultry farmers struggle with rising feed costs as egg prices soar

NIGERIA – Poultry farmers in Lagos State are facing growing concerns over the increasing cost of raw materials needed for egg production, which has significantly pushed up egg prices. 

The Lagos State chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), along with other stakeholders, has called for immediate government intervention to stabilize the market and ease the pressure on farmers.

According to the Chairman of PAN, Mr. Mojeed Iyiola, the continuous rise in the price of essential raw materials, particularly those used in bird feed, is the primary reason behind the escalating costs. 

He explained that the price of a crate of eggs keeps rising due to these high input costs. 

“The price of a crate of eggs keeps getting expensive because of the high cost of raw materials,” Mr. Iyiola stated. 

He acknowledged that although the federal government has allowed the importation of maize to help reduce costs, it has not led to the expected drop in feed prices.

The challenge goes beyond maize, which accounts for about 60 to 65 percent of bird feed. 

Mr. Iyiola pointed out that other key ingredients like soya, methylene, lysine, and premix remain expensive, adding further pressure on farmers. 

“This is because other raw materials for the formulation of bird feeds are not being subsidized at all,” he said. 

While there has been a slight decrease in maize prices, the overall cost of feed remains high, keeping the burden on farmers heavy.

Currently, the cost of a crate of eggs has surged to at least N5,000 (US$3.04) while smaller-sized eggs are priced between N4,300(US$2.62) and N4,500 (US$2.74).

Mr. Iyiola expressed concern that, without more substantial government assistance, poultry farmers may struggle to meet the increasing demand for eggs and other poultry products. 

He warned that the high production costs threaten the sustainability of the poultry industry and have directly contributed to the rising egg prices.

This issue is part of a larger problem in Nigeria’s poultry sector.

In 2023, more than half of the country’s poultry farms shut down due to skyrocketing production costs, leaving many farmers unable to keep up with demand. 

Mr. Iyiola warned that without additional government help—particularly through subsidies on critical feed ingredients—the industry could face even more significant setbacks.

Though the maize importation policy has offered some relief, Mr. Iyiola emphasized that the cost of other vital feed materials must also be addressed. 

He called for consistent government support to ensure that the poultry sector can recover and maintain its long-term viability.

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