Egg Sales Drop, Poultry Farmers Voice Concern

Poultry farmers across Nigeria have expressed deep concern over a significant drop in egg sales, attributing the decline to worsening economic conditions and the erosion of consumer purchasing power.

They report that the situation has deteriorated notably since the removal of the fuel subsidy, which has triggered a rise in operational costs—particularly the soaring prices of poultry feed—further straining egg production and profitability.

Hussaini Gumel, Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association of Nigeria in Jigawa State, raised the issue during a courtesy visit to Governor Umar Namadi at the Government House in Dutse on Thursday evening. He urged government intervention to support the sector, warning that continued neglect could cripple poultry farming and threaten food security.

“Since the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, our industry has been hit hard. Many Nigerians can no longer afford eggs, and our sales have plummeted

“The current economic situation has further exacerbated the challenges, with many Nigerians struggling to afford chicken and eggs due to limited financial resources. There’s no market for our products, and the lack of sufficient money in circulation among people is alarming.”

Hussaini Gumel further highlighted that the challenges facing poultry farmers extend beyond reduced consumer demand. He pointed to escalating production costs—most notably the surging price of poultry feed—as a critical pressure point threatening the viability of the sector.

In addition to financial strain, Gumel noted significant infrastructure limitations, particularly the widespread lack of refrigeration and cold storage systems. These deficiencies, he explained, severely hamper the ability of farmers to preserve eggs and other perishable products in Nigeria’s consistently high temperatures, leading to avoidable losses.

Calling for urgent government support, Gumel appealed for interventions that would help stabilize poultry operations and prevent further product wastage.

To stimulate demand and create a more secure market for their products, the Poultry Farmers Association recommended that the government incorporate eggs into national school feeding programmes. “This would not only boost egg consumption but also safeguard thousands of poultry businesses from potential collapse,” he said.

In response, Governor Umar Namadi acknowledged the poultry industry’s essential contribution to both food security and employment. He assured the farmers that his administration is committed to addressing their concerns and supporting sustainable solutions for the sector.

Africa Today News, New York