200% Price Surge Pushes Egg, Chicken Off Nigerians’ Menu
admin
Despite the declaration of a national emergency on food security in the country, the soaring prices of eggs and chicken in Nigerian markets has sparked concern among consumers and producers alike.
In the past two years, the prices of eggs and chicken have increased from 200 per cent to 250 per cent, depending on the parts of the country.
LEADERSHIP Friday checks in markets in various states of the federation showed that the prices of a crate of eggs jumped from N2,000 and N2,500 to N5,000 and N7,000 in just two years across the country. The same goes for the prices of chicken.
This development has forced most Nigerians, especially the poor, to stop including chicken and eggs in their menus, raising fears of protein deficiency among the citizens.
Two years ago, the government declared a state of emergency on food security, but the prices of most items have indeed gone up. Protein, the most essential need for a healthy society, does not seem to be within reach for many people because of high prices.
This year, specifically on 15th April 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu again declared a national emergency on food security.
Protein is necessary for the body’s growth and development, maintenance, repair, and replacement of worn-out or damaged tissues, production of metabolic and digestive enzymes, and is an essential constituent of certain hormones. One primary source of protein for most households is eggs. However, a crate of eggs now sells for between N6,000 and N7,000, prompting consumers to cry out. In January 2023, one crate cost just N850, but by June 2023, following the general inflation that followed the removal of the petrol subsidy, the price had risen to between N2,000 and N2,200. Since then, the price has steadily increased to the present cost.
Middlemen to blame
A senior director in the Ministry of Livestock Development, who requested anonymity, attributed the sharp increase in egg and chicken prices to profiteering middlemen, fluctuating feed prices, and poor farm-level value addition.
Consumers in the states who spoke to LEADERSHIP Friday called for government intervention.
“Go to the market and ask the feed sellers. Six months ago, how much was a bag of feed? Today, how much is it? The same applies to eggs. You will see that farmers are not the ones making the big money. They are struggling with barely N200 profit per crate, while middlemen sometimes make as much as N500 per crate just by reselling,” the official told our correspondent.
According to him, poultry farmers face multiple challenges, ranging from unstable feed prices—especially maize-based feed—to high energy costs, poor water supply for birds, and low-quality inputs. These factors, he explained, reduce egg production capacity and shrink profit margins.
He added that feed prices have reduced by about 23 per cent, evidence that government policies have yielded visible results.
“If you go to the market, sellers will confirm feed prices are down, but is it reflected in the price of eggs and chicken? The answer is no. Why? Because middlemen have hijacked the process. If Dangote announces that fuel prices have dropped, does it reflect immediately? No, because marketers won’t allow it. But once he says the price has increased, everything goes up within minutes. That is the problem we face in this country,” he said.
Agricultural analyst Surajo Muhammad also commented that poor management practices, harsh weather, and high labour and administrative costs worsen farmers’ situations.
The ministry official and Muhammad recommended targeted government intervention through feed subsidies and direct support to poultry farms.
Similarly, Mr Erivona Philip, CEO of Rivona Farms, said the feed cost is not determined solely by the cost of raw materials but also by other factors, such as logistics/transportation and double taxation.
“The high cost of feed is not solely due to the high cost of raw materials. The cost of logistics/transportation, the problem of double taxation, and high operating costs all contribute to the high cost of poultry feed, so to achieve low-cost feed, the government must reduce these other costs.
“Farmers sell eggs between N5,000 and N5,500 per crate, depending on egg size and farm location. The harsh operating environment and the high cost of doing business are why retailers are selling between N5,600 and N7,000.”
Meanwhile, the CEO of Jekulla Int’l, Jeremiah Emmanuel Kucha, believes there is no reason for poultry feeds and other products to be as expensive as they are now. He argued that the cost of raw materials used in feed production has fallen significantly.
“There’s no reason for poultry feeds to be as expensive as they are now. People often blame the government for the high cost of goods and services, which is not always the case.
“Take, for instance, the poultry sector in Nigeria; there are more than a million and one reasons for prices of poultry products to have crashed drastically by now, but this has not happened yet. Instead, the prices of day-old chicks, which are the first step in production, are going up daily. People will blame the government, but is it actually the government making the prices higher? I don’t think so.
“Last year, the prices of poultry products skyrocketed due to a rise in the prices of the raw materials used in feed production. It will shock you to learn that this increase didn’t happen naturally but due to human insatiable greed.
“People with these raw materials hoard the goods, creating artificial scarcity that makes Nigerians pay through the nose to access them.
“This year, the story is different. The raw materials are available and accessible. Note that feed is the backbone of poultry, and it is a major determinant of the prices of poultry products. Its prices should have crashed by now. The major raw material used in its production—maize—has dropped by more than 60 per cent.
“Maize constitutes between 48–70 per cent of the raw materials used in poultry feed production. Last year, it was sold per bag for about N90,000 to N110,000. Today, the price is between N28,000 and N38,000 per bag, depending on where and how much you’re buying. This is a significant drop.
“The price of soya, the second primary raw material, has also reduced significantly. Our exchange rate has relatively improved, which should also reflect in the feed prices, as some micro-ingredients used in these feeds are sourced internationally.
“However, it is appalling that companies processing these feeds put the economy before society and humanity. They think more about making profits than making life easier for their customers.
“Despite the significant drop in the prices of raw materials used in feed production, some companies have only reviewed their prices downwards by about 9–10 per cent, which is too low and unsuitable for the sector.
“Hatcheries, for example, see August to November as the season to make more profit. I’m not against them making the best of the season, but it is challenging to do so without considering their customers.
“For example, in July 2025, broiler day-old chicks (DOCs) sold for between N400 and N550, and in less than two months, the same DOCs are being sold for between N1,600 and N1,850. That’s a rise of N1,200–N1,400. Did this happen because of a change in production costs? No! They see this period as a time to cash out on gullible customers, and that’s too much.
“I want to use this medium to call on hatchery owners and major stakeholders in the poultry sector to place society and humanity above the economy. This will not only make life easier but also sustain the sector.”
Prices Of Eggs, Chicken Higher In Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto
Some consumers of eggs and chicken in Kaduna have lamented the continued rise in prices, calling on the government to address the issue urgently.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP Friday, some consumers who decried the situation said the soaring prices of eggs and chicken, if not checked, could severely affect the less privileged.
An egg seller, Christiana Emeka, who sells food items at Sabon Tasha Market, said,
“I bought a crate of eggs from distributors at N5,000 or N5,200 and sold at N5,500 or N5,600 to consumers. A crate of eggs is of different sizes. One egg is N200 or N220; in some places, it’s sold for N230, depending on the size. I asked some poultry owners, and they complained about the high cost of chicken feed and transportation, among other factors influencing prices,” she stated.
A consumer, Tobi Tunde, said he bought a medium-sized chicken at N13,000:
“It will be difficult to get a chicken for N5,000. Yesterday, I bought an agricultural chicken for N13,000. I bought a crate of eggs for my children at N5,300. One egg I bought last week was N220. The government should look into this issue.”
Prices of Egg, Chicken in Kano
In Kano, the retail price of chicken ranges from N5,000 to N5,500 per kilo, while a crate of eggs is sold for between N5,200 and N5,500.
According to Sagir Abdulkarin, a distributor and wholesaler at the chicken hub in Taurauni Market, he buys a kilo
from farmers at N4,100 and supplies at N4,500 or N4,600, depending on demand. He noted that a month ago, the price dropped to N4,300 but has since risen due to supply shortages and seasonal demand.
Mrs Sarah Paul, a housewife, lamented the soaring price of chicken, saying it has become a luxury:
“You will not believe that even a local hen now sells for about N5,000 at Yan Kaba Market, compared to N700 in the past.”
She added that crayfish, which is relatively affordable, has now become her preferred protein source.
Prices of Egg, Chicken in Sokoto
An egg costs N200 or N220 in Sokoto, whether from a shop, kiosk, or tea seller (Mai shai).
A crate of eggs is sold within the range of N5,200, N5,500, and N6,000, depending on size, source, and buyer.
The price of chicken also varies. An average local breed chicken is sold between N10,000 and N15,000. A broiler sells for between N15,000 and N18,000, depending on size and bargaining power, while layers go for N20,000.
Prices Of Eggs, Chicken Beyond Reach Of Kwara Residents
In Ilorin, Kwara State, the cost of eggs is beyond the reach of most residents.
LEADERSHIP Friday’s investigation showed that an egg costs N250, a crate costs N7,500, and a medium-sized chicken costs N10,000.
Jos Residents Groan Over Prices Of Eggs, Chicken
In Jos, Plateau State, residents lamented the increase in prices of eggs and chickens across the state.
A poultry farmer in Bukuru, Mrs Abigail Usman, said that a crate of eggs sells for ₦5,000, while old layers and broiler chickens, depending on their sizes, go for ₦10,000 and ₦14,000 to ₦20,000, respectively.
She blamed the rise in egg and chicken prices on the high cost of feed and poultry accessories.
Eggs, Chicken Prices On The Rise In Kogi
Over the past two years, the prices of eggs and chickens in Kogi State have steadily increased, making it difficult for residents to afford them and include them in their meals.
In Lokoja, Kogi State, a crate of eggs that used to cost between ₦2,000 and ₦2,500 now costs between ₦6,000 and ₦6,500, depending on its size.
Bayelsa Poultry Farmer Laments Rising Cost Of Eggs, Chicken
A Bayelsa poultry farmer has decried the high cost of eggs and chickens, saying small farmers struggle to keep prices stable because they have fewer birds than larger farms.
The CEO of Tush Agro, Mr Levi Uche Onyekaonwu, explained that the limited number of chickens on his farm makes production costlier, which is why his eggs and chickens are sold at slightly higher prices than those from bigger farms.
“One crate is ₦6,000, meaning one egg costs ₦200. I recently sold chickens for ₦8,000, but the same chickens were sold for ₦8,500 at Swali Market. If you are buying more chickens, you will get them at ₦7,800. Because of the number of birds I have, my farm produces less, so the price of my eggs is a bit higher,” Onyekaonwu stated.
Eggs, Chicken Prices in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers
In Delta State, particularly Asaba, a visit to some markets revealed the prices of fowl and eggs.
One egg costs ₦250, while a crate of eggs in the Midwifery and Ogbogonogo markets costs ₦5,700 and ₦5,800, respectively. Prices of fowl vary.
A grown-up fowl costs ₦15,000, while some sell between ₦10,000 and ₦12,000.
In Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the price of a fully grown chicken is ₦10,000, similar to last year.
Likewise, a crate of eggs sells for ₦5,500 in areas such as the Atimbo axis of Calabar metropolis, compared to ₦4,000 in 2024.
An egg and chicken farm operator, Mr Anietie Bassey, lamented the high cost of chicken feed, which has recently affected the business.
A shop owner at White House Street, Calabar South Local Government Area, Mrs Ugoma Lawrence, called on the state government to intervene and assist them with grants to sustain the business.
In Rivers State, a crate of eggs in Port Harcourt costs ₦6,000 for small eggs and ₦6,500 for large ones. An egg costs ₦250.
Live chickens at the market range from ₦10,000 to ₦16,000, depending on size. These chickens are 5–7 weeks old.
However, the cost of a live chicken on the farm at up to three months old ranges from ₦20,000 to ₦25,000, depending on size.
In Borno, Prices Better Than Last Year
Prices are relatively better than last year, with a sizable chicken selling between ₦7,000 and ₦10,000, compared to last year’s ₦20,000, ₦15,000, and ₦10,000 during festive seasons.
For eggs, a dozen that sold for ₦5,500 last year now sells for ₦6,000; a fresh egg costs ₦200, and a boiled egg ₦250.
A chicken seller at the Gida Madara area of Maiduguri, Abdullahi Mohammed, said even though chicken prices have dropped compared to last year—with the biggest chicken selling for ₦10,000 and smaller ones between ₦5,000 and ₦7,000—patronage remains low, probably due to the economic crunch.
In contrast, Sanusi Adam, an egg seller at the same market, said an egg is now sold for ₦6,000 compared to ₦5,500 last year due to the high cost of poultry feed.
Meanwhile, a restaurant operator in Maiduguri, Mr Donatus Orji, attested that chicken prices have recently fallen, attributing the drop to good weather during the rainy season. He explained that during hot periods, chickens often succumb to diseases associated with heat.
High Prices in Adamawa due Feed Cost
The increase in chicken and egg prices is attributed to the high cost of poultry feed and the activities of middlemen in the chicken business value chain.
A LEADERSHIP Friday investigation revealed that a crate of eggs sells for ₦5,500, a single boiled egg for ₦250, and a sizable broiler chicken for between ₦9,000 and ₦11,000, depending on size.
Musa Isa, a chicken seller at Jimeta Ultramodern Market, said that buying poultry feed from Jos has been a major challenge affecting the business in the state.
Bauchi Residents Cry Out as Egg and Chicken Prices Defy Market Trends
Despite a noticeable drop in the prices of many food items across Bauchi State, residents lament the stubbornly high cost of eggs and poultry, which remain unaffordable for many households.
The sharp rise in prices has left families struggling to include these essential protein sources in their diets, overshadowing recent relief brought by falling costs of grains, vegetables, and other staples.
Yusuf Ibrahim, a 35-year-old resident of Bauchi metropolis, expressed frustration, saying he can no longer afford a crate of eggs, which now sells for between ₦5,500 and ₦6,000. “We were happy when we heard food prices were falling, but eggs and chicken are still like luxury items. Feeding the family has become more difficult,” he lamented.
The poultry market paints a similar picture. A four- to seven-week-old chicken now sells for around ₦8,000, a price many consumers describe as “unreasonable.”
Prices in Lagos and Ogun States
In Lagos and neighbouring Ogun State, a crate of eggs averages ₦6,000, while a full-grown chicken averages ₦20,000.
Ayanwale Femi, a Lagos resident, complained about the increase in food prices, including eggs and chicken, stating that household feeding costs are now very high.
Meanwhile, Dada Fausat, an egg wholesaler in Ifo, Ogun State, said she sells a crate of small eggs for ₦5,200, medium for ₦5,600, and a crate of large eggs now goes for ₦6,000.
She attributed the price hike to the increase in poultry feed costs and current weather conditions.
Similarly, Mrs Damilola Makinde, who breeds chickens from nursery to fully grown, complained bitterly about the cost of chicken feed.
She said a fully grown chicken now sells for between ₦15,000 and ₦20,000. Moreover, a three-week-old live broiler chicken sells for between ₦4,000 and ₦4,500.
She predicts prices may rise further by October as Christmas and New Year approach.
Egg costly for Ogun Residents
Findings in Osun State revealed that the price of an egg crate ranges between ₦5,500 and ₦6,000, depending on size, while an egg costs between ₦250 and ₦300, prices which the average resident considers very high.
Further market surveys on highly nutritious food supplements also showed that the price of live chicken ranges between ₦25,000 and ₦30,000, which many residents across the state say they cannot afford.
