NIGERIA – Nigeria’s poultry industry is teetering on the brink of collapse due to skyrocketing prices of maize and soybeans, the primary components of poultry feed.
The combination of escalating insecurity and unpredictable weather patterns has severely impacted crop production, driving feed prices to unprecedented levels and threatening the industry’s survival.
Insecurity in rural areas has disrupted farming activities, resulting in significantly reduced harvests.
Additionally, erratic weather conditions attributed to climate change have further hampered crop yields.
This dual setback has created a severe supply shortage, driving up feed costs and making it increasingly difficult for poultry farmers to remain profitable.
With feed costs constituting a major portion of production expenses, poultry farmers are facing shrinking profit margins.
Many have been forced to scale back their operations or cease altogether, leading to substantial job losses across the industry.
The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) reports that over the past four years, the sector has lost a staggering 25 million jobs.
Moreover, the rising cost of poultry products is a growing concern.
As farmers transfer the burden of increased feed prices to consumers, the prices of eggs and chicken have soared, making these vital protein sources less affordable for the average Nigerian.
This is particularly worrisome in a country grappling with high poverty rates.
The challenges are further compounded by additional pressures such as foreign exchange shortages, which impede the importation of essential inputs, and the looming threat of avian influenza.
These factors have collectively weakened the industry’s resilience, leaving it vulnerable to further disruptions.
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