21 March 2024 12:00 am Views - 253
By Nuzla Rizkiya
Sri Lanka is standing on the verge of achieving self-sufficiency in egg production, at least by the end of April, but continuous reliance on imports has severely threatened the potential of the local industry achieving the status, All Island Poultry Association (AIPA) President Ajith Gunasekara warns.
The government’s decision to continue importing eggs was met with vehement opposition by the association who warns the local industry might end up in crisis similar to the recent big onion debacle which was brought about by overreliance on imports, according to Gunasekara.
“Government is going to destroy local egg production through continuous importation. Every farm in the country is currently operating in full capacity and the country has already achieved self-sufficiency in chicken production. So we are capable of meeting the domestic demand even during seasonal periods. We have advocated policies towards self-sufficiency until March 2020, but the Trade Ministry instead chooses to control prices through importation,” Gunasekara said.
While imported eggs priced at Rs. 43 may seem cheaper, the difference in quality and nutritional value in local eggs is very much significant, and it is a factor that is often overlooked in price comparisons.
“The price difference between imported eggs and local eggs amounts to Rs. 5. These imported eggs only weigh 40-45g compared to the 55-60g of local eggs. Therefore local eggs offer more weight and protein sources, which consumers strongly look for.
Furthermore local producers in response to the government’s importation policies have proposed the distribution of eggs to the market at farm gate prices ranging from Rs. 38-40 per egg. Taking into account wholesale margins and transport costs, white eggs could be priced at Rs.46-48 and brown eggs at Rs.48-50 in the retail market.
The Department of Animal Production and Health estimates the production cost of a local egg to be Rs. 32.
Moreover, with approximately 7 million eggs produced daily, the poultry industry generates about Rs. 1,260 million as government revenue.