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Egg, chicken shortage looms

13 Sep 2022

  • Imported hens dwindle to 7,000 in 2022
  • Egg production drops from 220 mn in April to 164 mn in July
BY Buddhika Samaraweera   Egg and poultry industrialists have warned of a shortage of eggs and chicken in the coming months as the number of hens imported to Sri Lanka last year was 80,000, but this year, the number has decreased to 7,000.  The Agriculture Ministry is to therefore implement a joint programme to protect the egg and poultry industry. A discussion between Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera and poultry and egg industrialists was held yesterday (12) at the Ministry. During the discussion, they pointed out that the egg and poultry industry is in danger due to the shortage of animal feed, the increase in their prices, and the increase in the prices of medicines and vitamins given to animals. The industrialists also stated that although the number of hens imported was 80,000 last year, it has decreased to 7,000 this year, noting therefore that there is a risk of a shortage of eggs and chicken. They also informed Amaraweera that by last April, the production of eggs in this country was 220 million and that chicken production was 21 metric tonnes (MT), but that by last July, production had decreased to 164 million and 18 MT, respectively. They said that the egg and poultry industry is facing the threat of complete collapse due to the imposition of a control price on egg prices by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA). It was discussed that the increase in the price of animal feed in the prevailing economic crisis and the decrease in the production of maize to 90,000 MT as a result of the ban on chemical fertilisers in 2021 caused the shortage of animal feed. Therefore, the industrialists requested Amaraweera to provide a part of the rice that is currently imported as a substitute for the maize used in the preparation of animal feed. Furthermore, Amaraweera, taking into account the industrialists’ explanations, said that a joint programme would be launched by the Agriculture Ministry, the Department of Animal Production and Health, and the CAA, to overcome the problems that have arisen in the egg and poultry industry and to protect it. The joint programme is to be headed by Agriculture Ministry Secretary Rohana Pushpakumara. Claiming that the prevailing shortage of animal feed in the country is the main reason for the increase in the prices of chicken and eggs, the Government stated earlier this year that it hoped to import animal feed under an Indian credit facility and to reduce the prices of the said commodities. However, egg and chicken prices have gone up in considerable amounts throughout the past few months. Against this backdrop, the CAA stipulated a maximum retail price on eggs with effect from 19 August. Accordingly, the price of a white egg is now Rs. 43, while the price of a brown egg stands at Rs. 45.  


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