The price of eggs in Sri Lanka is expected to rise to between Rs. 60-65 per egg, according to the All Lanka Egg Producers Association. The association’s president, Sarath Ratnayake, attributed the price increase to the rising costs of poultry feed, particularly due to a significant surge in the prices of maize and rice bran, which have tripled in cost. As a result, the cost of producing chicken feed has skyrocketed, directly impacting the price of eggs.
Ratnayake highlighted that the production cost of a single egg is currently around Rs. 38, but it is being sold at a loss, with wholesale prices between Rs. 30-31 per egg. This has created a challenging situation for egg producers, who are struggling with losses of approximately Rs. 7 per egg. He also pointed out that the price of poultry feed has led to a spike in the cost of chicken meat, which has now reached Rs. 200 per kilogram, up from Rs. 150.
As a result of these mounting costs, many small and medium-scale poultry farmers are reportedly moving away from egg production. If this trend continues, it is expected that egg prices could exceed Rs. 60 per egg in the near future, making it even more difficult for consumers to afford. The egg producers association is urging the government to intervene to stabilize the cost of feed and protect the livelihoods of local farmers.
