The Digest: Egg prices have surged across Nigeria, with a crate now selling as high as N8,500 in some retail outlets, driven by a shortage of day-old chicks that has constrained poultry production. Farm gate prices have risen to about N5,500 per crate, up from N5,000 in January, while retailers sell between N6,000 and N6,500 depending on egg size. The Poultry Association of Nigeria reports that hatcheries are fully booked months in advance, with farmers unable to secure chicks until late 2026. The cost of day-old chicks has nearly doubled from N1,800 to about N3,300.
Key Points:
- Day-old chicks are in short supply, with waiting periods stretching up to six months.
- The cost of chicks has nearly doubled, squeezing farmers' margins and discouraging expansion.
- Regulatory constraints on parent stock import licences are cited as a key bottleneck.
- Rising fuel prices have compounded price pressures through increased transportation costs.
- Consumers face reduced access to eggs, traditionally one of the most affordable protein sources.
Sources: Nairametrics
