Ministry to import eggs if prices not lowered soon: Minister

Colombo, July 22 (Daily Mirror) - Due to numerous complaints from consumers, Trade, Commerce and Food Security Minister Nalin Fernando announced today that the Ministry will take strict measures to import eggs if local producers do not bring down the price of eggs.

It was reported that the retail price of an egg has increased again, and now the Ministry has identified that the profit is not being passed down to the consumers, he said.

"The price of eggs is increasing in the market. It was reported that there has been a price increase in the local market during the past two weeks, the Minister said.

"Earlier, the government imported eggs to balance the shortage in the country. Later, imports were stopped to grant the benefit directly to the local producers while providing concessions for their productions, including the ingredients," he said. 

“Therefore, the government had to take a stern decision to reduce the egg prices or import eggs again. If a decision is taken to import, it will continue till December 31,” he said.

"I have given a few more days to take a decision on reducing the price of egg in the local market or to resume the export. The Trade Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry know the actual production cost of an egg," he added.

If they cannot reduce the prices, the Ministry will decide to resume imports again, Minister Fernando said.