Egg prices soar & hit record all time high as crate costs N6000 in Lagos

Egg prices in Nigeria have reached alarming levels, with a crate now costing as much as N6,000 in Lagos—a stark indicator of the pressures facing both households and businesses across the country. The dramatic price surge is the result of several interlinked factors, including the rising cost of poultry feed, insecurity in key agricultural areas, climate change, and the ongoing devaluation of the naira.

One of the primary drivers is the soaring cost of poultry feed, which has become prohibitively expensive for farmers. As feed prices continue to climb, egg producers are forced to raise their prices, passing the burden onto consumers. Security challenges in major food-producing regions further exacerbate the issue, as violence disrupts farming activities and the supply chain, leading to shortages that drive up prices.

Additionally, climate change is impacting Nigeria’s egg production. Erratic weather patterns have hindered crop yields, squeezing the poultry sector and contributing to egg scarcity. Reduced agricultural output affects the feed supply, and shortages in feed ingredients lead to higher costs for poultry farmers.

The devaluation of the naira compounds these challenges, increasing the cost of imported poultry feed and other essential farming inputs. As the naira weakens, the expense of producing eggs in Nigeria continues to climb, making eggs an increasingly unaffordable staple for many Nigerians.

For households in Nigeria, where eggs are a dietary staple, this surge in prices has hit hard. The average price for a crate of eggs now hovers around N6,000 in Lagos, significantly higher than it was just months ago. Businesses that depend on eggs, from bakeries to street vendors, are also struggling as input costs eat into their profits and threaten their operations.

To address these skyrocketing prices, experts call for a multi-pronged response. They urge the government to boost agricultural productivity, support domestic feed production, improve security in food-producing regions, and take proactive steps to mitigate climate change impacts. Policies aimed at stabilizing the naira and reducing the cost of inputs for farmers could also provide relief to the poultry industry.

With egg prices continuing to rise, it has become clear that a long-term strategy is essential to ensure that eggs remain affordable for households and sustainable for the many businesses that rely on them.

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