Nigeria’s poultry industry struggles

NIGERIA – Nigeria’s poultry sector is facing mounting pressure as surging production expenses continue to drive up the retail prices of eggs and chicken, leaving many households unable to afford what has traditionally been one of the country’s cheapest sources of animal protein.

Poultry farmers across several parts of the country say the combined impact of expensive feed ingredients, higher transport costs, an unstable electricity supply, and shortages of day-old chicks has created difficult operating conditions that threaten the survival of many businesses.

The industry remains a major contributor to Nigeria’s economy through job creation and food supply, although operators say worsening economic conditions have forced some producers to scale down operations, while others have shut down entirely because they can no longer cover production costs.

Feed prices remain the biggest burden

Farmers identify poultry feed as the main factor behind the sector’s current difficulties, noting that maize and soybean prices have risen sharply in recent years, significantly increasing the cost of raising birds from hatch to maturity.

According to poultry operators, feed expenses now account for the largest share of production costs, leaving many farms with narrow profit margins even after selling eggs and mature birds.

At the same time, transport expenses have continued to climb due to rising fuel prices, increasing the cost of moving feed supplies, veterinary products, chicks, and finished poultry products between states and local markets.

Producers in rural areas say they have been hit hardest because of longer delivery distances, which forces many to pass the additional costs on to consumers through higher egg and chicken prices.

Farmers are also reporting shortages of day-old chicks, as hatcheries are taking longer to supply birds due to reduced production capacity and the high cost of importing breeding stock and equipment for hatchery operations.

Electricity costs have added further pressure because poultry farms and hatcheries require constant power for incubation systems, ventilation equipment, lighting, and cold storage, while an unreliable grid supply has pushed many operators to rely heavily on fuel-powered generators.

Consumers reduce purchases

The effects of rising production costs are already visible in retail markets, where traders say customers are increasingly buying fewer eggs or smaller portions of chicken because household incomes no longer keep pace with food price increases.

Nutrition specialists warn that continued increases in poultry product prices could worsen food insecurity because eggs and chicken remain key protein sources for children, pregnant women, and low-income families.

Industry groups are now urging the government to support local maize and soybean production, improve access to affordable agricultural financing, reduce taxes affecting the sector, and increase investment in hatchery operations to stabilise supply and ease pressure on producers.

Although poultry farmers say Nigeria still has the capacity to rebuild domestic poultry production and meet local demand, industry stakeholders caution that continued economic strain could push poultry products further out of reach for ordinary consumers if corrective measures are not introduced soon.

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