Poultry Farmers Blame Chick Shortage For Egg Scarcity, Price Hike

Poultry farmers in Nigeria have blamed the ongoing scarcity of eggs and rising prices on the shortage of day-old chicks (DOCs), warning that the situation could worsen if urgent steps are not taken.

The farmers, who spoke in separate interviews, said the inability to access DOCs has disrupted production, as many are unable to replace ageing layers or expand capacity.

According to the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), most hatcheries are fully booked, leaving farmers with waiting periods of up to six months before they can obtain new chicks.

The shortage has also driven up costs, with the price of a day-old chick rising significantly from about ₦1,800 last year to over ₦3,000 in recent months placing additional financial pressure on farmers.

As a result, egg prices have surged across markets. A crate now sells for between ₦5,500 at the farm gate and as high as ₦8,500 in some retail outlets, depending on size and location.

Stakeholders attributed the shortage to limited access to parent stock imports, which has constrained hatchery production and reduced the availability of chicks nationwide.

In addition, rising transportation costs linked to high fuel prices have further compounded the situation, pushing egg prices beyond the reach of many consumers.

Industry operators have called on the Federal Government to intervene by increasing access to parent stock and supporting local production, warning that failure to act could deepen the crisis and affect food security.