The price of an egg in the local market has reduced in comparison to last week, it was reported. 

According to the All Ceylon Egg Traders’ Association, the price of a brown egg was reported at Rs. 36 today. 

Meanwhile, the price of a white egg has been recorded at Rs. 35, the Association added. (Newswire)

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The All Ceylon Egg Producers Association claims the price of eggs has increased due to intermediaries creating a shortage by hoarding eggs.

The price of an egg, which was between Rs. 28 and Rs. 30, has recently shot up to Rs. 40 in the local market.

The All Ceylon Egg Producers Association points out the price hike was due to hoarding by intermediaries. 

The Association said if the government intervenes by investigating these intermediaries and also reduces the prices of eggs, then an egg can be provided for Rs. 30.

The All Ceylon Egg Producers Association further urged the government to take immediate action to reduce the price of eggs. (Newswire)

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved proposals to import maize, eggs, and rice similar to ‘Keeri Samba’. 

Accordingly, approval has been granted to import 15,000 Metric Tons of Maize through the State Trading Corporation. 

The importation is being done to fulfil the requirements for poultry feed production.

Meanwhile, approval has also been granted to import 50,000 Metric Tons of GR11 rice variety, which is similar to ‘Keeri Samba’.

The rice will be imported through the private sector to promote competition in the increase of rice prices.

Furthermore, approval was also granted for the import of eggs from Indian farms recommended by the Department of Animal Production and Health for the stabilization of egg prices in the local market.

The Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation has imported 155 million eggs as of now, while necessary measures have been taken to import another 18 million eggs before December 31, 2023. (NewsWire)

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Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera has assured that egg and chicken prices will likely decrease next year and remain stable thereafter. 

Minister Mahinda Amaraweera also stated that there will be no need for egg imports from next year.

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the minister made the remarks while speaking at a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre yesterday (Sep 14). 

Minister Amaraweera highlighted that Sri Lanka’s poultry and egg production industry, despite being self-sufficient, experienced a decline due to reduced animal feed production caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis. Currently, the entire poultry and egg production for the nation is handled by the private sector, with the total chicken population across all farms exceeding 3,420,000.

“It’s worth noting that most of these chickens are expected to start laying eggs by December and industrialists anticipate a significant increase in egg production in the country after that period. We also gave these industrialists the opportunity to import maize for the production of feed required for the poultry industry. Customers will also benefit from it in the future,” he said.

The minister further stated that the mid-term Livestock Development Program allocated Rs. 37 million to enhance livestock services in the Northern Province.

Furthermore, the Small and Medium Scale Poultry Development Project, which focuses on producing one-day-old country chicken chicks, boosting egg production in rural areas and improving nutrition, received funding of Rs. 48 million.

Prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis, the country’s annual chicken meat production stood at 230,000 metric tons, resulting in a per capita chicken meat consumption of 11 kg per year. However, recent economic challenges and the impact of COVID-19 have caused a 30% reduction in local chicken meat production.

Industrialists are optimistic that the production of chicken meat in the country can rebound to pre-crisis levels by the end of this year, thanks to the significant addition of broiler chickens to farms. Consequently, it is expected that the prices of chicken and eggs will continue to decrease.

The Ministry of Agriculture has prioritised livestock development in the country and has initiated various programs to support this effort. These measures include promoting small and medium-scale farms, stimulating production, encouraging meat and egg exports, importing high-quality calves, developing and preserving grasslands and boosting animal feed production.

Currently, the daily egg requirement in our country stands at 7 million eggs. However, egg production has decreased by 50% following the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis.

The main factors contributing to the decline in egg and chicken meat production include a decrease in animal feed production, a shortage of foreign exchange for importing animal feed and reduced local maize production. Nevertheless, there is currently an upward trend in chicken meat and egg production in the poultry industry. Recent data shows that approximately 6 million eggs are being supplied daily, leaving a current shortage of around 1 million eggs per day. However, it is anticipated that this deficit can be addressed over the next three months.

To achieve self-sufficiency in milk production, both short and long-term plans have been devised. A five-year plan known as the National Dairy Policy, spanning from 2023 to 2028 has been formulated to work towards this goal. It’s worth noting that in 2021, Sri Lanka imported a total of 82,087 metric tons of milk and milk-related products, indicating a reliance on imports to meet domestic demand.

Also, 1670 beneficiaries will be provided facilities for the cultivation and conservation of grass and fodder as activities to increase productivity through the management of small and medium scale dairy farms and 6 fodder and fodder processing centres will be set up.

“We also hope to improve 09 breeding farms belonging to the Provincial Animal Production and Health Department as well as to improve private breeding farm centres,” the Agriculture Minister said.

The National Artificial Insemination Service has produced and distributed 40,000 heifers to the cattle population and 164,836 cow sperms per year. Under this project implemented with the Board of Investment, 12,000 high-quality milk cows will be deployed in the field and the annual production will be 75 million litres of milk.

A large-scale animal production farm was started at the Polonnaruwa Farm belonging to the National Livestock Development Board. The amount spent for it is around Rs. 250 million. (NewsWire)

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