Large egg stocks stuck in warehouses due to gas, flour shortages cause price decreases: Egg Producers'

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama

Egg prices have been reduced by a huge margin to clear the stocks which were stuck at warehouses due to the recent domestic gas shortage and wheat flour issues in the country, the All Island Egg Producers' Association (AIEPA) said.

As a result of the aforementioned issues, nearly 1.5 million eggs were left stranded in warehouses.

Due to a lack of gas and wheat flour stocks, industries such as bakeries and short-eats were unable to operate, and as a result, egg sales were reduced, he said.

"The price of an egg reached Rs. 22 in the recent Christmas season. The said price increase was maintained until January 10, 2022. Later, AIEPA decided to reduce the prices by Rs. 4 for not having a good sale due to a shortage of gas and flour," he said."The poultry farmers have to spend Rs. 1.2 million to Rs. 1.6 million to feed 1,000 chicks for six months until the day of egglaying. Therefore, the government should provide us with a concession by reducing the tax on soya beans and maze to keep the industry from collapsing," Alwis said.
If the price of an egg increases by Rs. 30, the bakery products are also affected, and that will directly be a burden to ordinary people. If so, the bakery food items will become luxury items, he said.

He said the production of eggs has been decreased now due to farmers' getting away from the industry.