Egg prices stay near ₦4,000 per crate despite 30% fall in feed costs

Egg prices in Ondo are still around ₦4,000 per crate even after poultry feed prices fell by more than 30%, from ₦22,500 to ₦15,500 per bag. Farmers and dealers say old feed costs, transport and festive demand are keeping the staple expensive.

At some farms, a crate sells for about ₦4,000. Retail outlets may charge more. The feed relief has not yet reached households.

Why feed relief is not reaching egg buyers

Adedoye Adedolapo, a poultry manager at Nibanola Farms, confirmed the drop in feed prices. He said the farm produces its own feed with maize, oats and other raw materials at about ₦12,800 per bag.

He said: “The total cost of our feed production per bag is N12,800. We source maize, oats and other materials ourselves.”

Adedolapo said farmers have limited control over retail prices. Sellers must add transport, fuel and other business expenses. Even when retailers buy eggs at ₦4,000 per crate, those costs can push the final price higher.

Dealers say farmers are recovering old costs

Poultry feed dealer Omolayo Fagbemi said popular brands, including Ultima, Chikun, Vital and Hope Feeds, have recorded major price cuts. Some brands that sold for ₦22,500 are now available for about ₦15,500.

Fagbemi said farmers are still recovering from months of buying expensive feed. She said: “Before the price of feed dropped, farmers had been feeding their chickens with expensive feed for the past three months.”

She said cutting egg prices immediately could leave producers struggling to recover their investments or make reasonable profits.

Festive demand adds pressure

Fagbemi also linked high egg prices to rising seasonal demand for chicken meat. Some farmers are shifting attention to broilers for sale during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

That shift could affect egg supply if fewer farmers keep laying birds. She warned that the seasonal move could sustain pressure on egg prices despite cheaper feed.

Adedolapo urged the Federal Government to introduce targeted grants and intervention programmes for poultry producers. He argued that financial assistance could help farmers manage production costs and potentially make eggs more affordable.

What it means for consumers

For now, the feed price reduction offers hope rather than immediate relief. Transport costs, previous production expenses and seasonal market pressure continue to shape egg prices.

A separate Lagos market survey for October 2026 showed that maize, garri, onions and other household staples became more expensive. The survey found that 31 out of 67 food items recorded price increases in October, compared with 17 in September. The pressure on food prices remains for families already battling the cost of living.