Residents of Abuja are facing a difficult choice – forgo eggs or cut back on other essentials due to a significant increase in egg prices. Many residents interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported a shift in their buying habits, with some opting to buy smaller quantities or stop buying eggs altogether.
A crate of 30 eggs, previously priced between N800 and N1,000, now costs a staggering N3,500 to N4,000 in the FCT. This represents a year-on-year increase of 54% according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Food Price Report for January 2024.
The high price takes a toll on both individual consumers and businesses. Housewives like Oyiza Shehu struggle to afford eggs for their children, while bakers like Nora Paul grapple with increased production costs due to the expensive ingredient.
Sellers report a decline in patronage. Suleiman Idris, an egg seller, witnesses customers buying less or opting for a single egg instead of their usual purchases.
The impact is felt even by low-wage earners like Paul Bulus, a gateman who can no longer afford his usual twice-weekly egg consumption.
The situation is attributed to rising production costs faced by poultry farm owners like Joyful Samuel. The cost of bird feed and maintenance, including vaccinations and multivitamins, has significantly increased. Samuel highlights challenges like feed ingredient hoarding and high transportation costs as contributing factors.
This situation creates a hardship for Abuja residents who value eggs for their nutritional benefits and affordability. With the price increase, eggs are becoming a luxury for many.
