Consumers Cry Out as Egg Prices Hit N6,500 Per Crate Despite Cost Slash Claims
- The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) announced a 10% cut in farm gate egg prices, reducing the cost to between N4,800 and N5,000 per crate.
- However, a market survey in Lagos showed that residents still buy crates at N5,500–N6,500 and single eggs at about N250–N300.
- Wholesalers and consumers blame transportation, packaging, and other costs for the persistently high prices, saying PAN’s claimed reduction has not reached the markets.
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Legit.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade's experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology, Banking and the Economy.
Many Lagos residents have dismissed reports by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) that egg prices have dropped, insisting that the product remains costly in local markets.
Source: UGC
According to Punch, PAN had earlier announced that the farm gate price of eggs had reduced by about 10%, from N5,000 to between N4,800 and N5,000 per crate.
But a market survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) revealed that prices are still much higher, with a crate selling for between N5,500 and N6,500, while a single egg goes for as much as N250.
At Egbeda, Mrs. Rose Brownson said she had not noticed any price reduction, as the prices are getting more expensive.
She said:
“The cost of eggs has not dropped in recent months; it only gets more expensive. We still buy a crate between N5,800 and N6,000, and a single egg sells for N250. There has been no noticeable change.”
In FESTAC, a wholesaler, Mrs. Esther Ikechukwu, explained that additional expenses after buying from the farms keep prices high.
She said:
“The farm price is N5,100 per crate, but we pay an extra N200 per crate for transportation. By the time it gets to us, it’s about N5,300, and we still incur costs for delivery to our shops. I sell at N5,700, while others sell between N6,000 and N6,500.”
She further highlighted that packaging, transaction costs, and losses from cracked eggs also influence final prices.
She explained that broken eggs are usually sold at about N500 for three pieces or N4,500 per crate, noting that wholesalers make little to no profit, while retailers gain more.
At Alimosho, a resident, Mr. Oriafo Oseme, echoed similar sentiments, insisting that she still bought a crate at N6,000 a few days back.
Oseme said:
“This talk of a price slash seems like a myth. If there has been a drop at the farm gates, it should reflect in what we pay.”
Source: UGC
Similarly, a food vendor in Amuwo Odofin, Mrs. Charity Igwe, said her selling price depends on her purchase cost.
Igwe said:
“We buy a crate at N5,600 and sell boiled eggs at N250. Once it rises to N6,000, we sell for N300. Many food vendors now charge N300 to recover costs.”
For now, despite PAN’s assurances, consumers across Lagos insist the so-called price reduction has not eased their expenses.
Why egg prices keep rising
Meanwhile, for several households, eggs serve as an affordable substitute for meat and remain an important source of income for both rural and urban poultry farmers.
However, the cost of eggs in Nigeria has continued to climb, driven by multiple challenges affecting production and supply.
Lagos-based farmer, Tobi Olatunji, explained that one of the key drivers is the surging cost of poultry feed, which makes up the bulk of expenses in egg production.
Source: Legit.ng
