Nigerian poultry industry faces severe crisis as farms shut down

NIGERIA – The once-thriving poultry industry in Nigeria is now grappling with a severe crisis, as revealed by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) – within the first half of 2024, the sector witnessed the closure of 30% of its farms. 

This alarming development is not merely due to a sudden market decline but is rooted in the country’s ongoing economic struggles. 

Godwin Egbebe, PAN’s National Publicity Secretary, attributes this downturn to the soaring operational costs that have made it increasingly difficult for poultry farms to sustain their businesses.

Egbebe’s urgent call for government intervention underscores the gravity of the situation. 

He notes that the cost of a crate of eggs, which ranged between N2,500 (US$ 1.6) and N3,200 (US$2.06) at the beginning of the year, has surged to an astonishing N4,200 (US$2.68) by June.

This price spike coincides with Nigeria’s escalating inflation rates – According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the national inflation rate hit 33.95% in May 2024, while food inflation soared to 40.66%.

The repercussions of these closures extend beyond the poultry farms themselves, posing a threat to the broader food supply and economic stability. 

A continued decline in poultry production would exacerbate existing food shortages, driving up prices and making essential protein sources like chicken and eggs unaffordable for many Nigerians. 

Nigeria holds a prominent position in Africa’s poultry industry, being the largest egg producer and the second-largest chicken producer on the continent. 

Annually, the country produces approximately 454 billion tonnes of poultry meat and 3.8 million eggs, supported by a poultry population of 180 million birds. 

Despite recent growth, local production meets only 30% of the national demand for chicken and eggs.

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