Poultry farmers agree to supply eggs at Rs.55: Minister

• Says certain middlemen have worked to increase egg prices by stocking them
• Poultry farmers agreed to send 20 trucks each day carrying eggs to Colombo for sale to customers in populated areas 

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

Even though the price of an egg in the local market is sold over Rs.70, the poultry producers yesterday agreed to supply an egg to consumers at a price of Rs. 55 from the end of this month, the agriculture minister said. 

The decision was announced during a meeting held at the Ministry with several associations, including poultry farmers, in order to provide eggs to consumers at a reasonable price.

 They pointed out that they are still supplying eggs at Rs.49 and 55, and that certain middlemen have worked to increase the price of eggs by stocking them.

 "It is the government's responsibility to protect the local producer as well as the consumer. If the local egg producers do not provide eggs at a reasonable price, they will have to import eggs and sell at a minimum price," the Minister said.

 However, the relevant producers agreed to supply an egg to consumers at Rs.55 from the end of this month.  Poultry farmers agreed to send 20 trucks each day carrying eggs to Colombo for sale to customers in populated areas and also to expand the activities to other urban areas as well.

 In addition, the Minister expressed his agreement to provide facilities for selling eggs in the vicinity of all economic centres and Sathosa premises and to provide the support of the Sri Lanka Police Department to protect the relevant egg sellers if anyone engages in disruptive activities.