• Producers blame corn shortage and falling output

The All Ceylon Egg Producers' Association has announced an increase in egg prices with effect from today (20), citing rising production costs and shortages of animal feed.

Addressing a media briefing in Kuliyapitiya yesterday (19), Association Chairperson Sarath Ratnayake said that the price of a white egg would increase to Rs 41, while a red egg would be sold at Rs 42.

He blamed the Government and relevant authorities for the price increase, alleging that the suspension of corn imports had severely affected the industry.

He said that locally produced corn is insufficient to meet the requirements of egg producers, forcing farmers to use substitute feed such as rice.

According to Ratnayake, the use of alternative feed has adversely affected poultry health and digestion, resulting in a 20-30 per cent decline in egg production.

He also alleged that some unscrupulous traders had mixed chemicals and medicines into animal feed, leading to the deaths of a large number of poultry.