23 Jul 2024 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Yohan Perera
Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando who welcomed the decision made by egg producers to reduce the price of an egg to Rs 42 yesterday hinted that he would abandon his original plan to import eggs.
“I was planning to import eggs if the producers failed to reduce the price. The decision made by the producers is welcomed. They should have done it before. Why wait till I threatened to import eggs,” he said.
Referring to the request made by the Sri Lanka Association of Animal Production Ajith Gunasekera to remove the 18 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on eggs, the Minster said such a tax is not imposed at the moment. “Why are the animal production association shouting on a tax which is not imposed?” he questioned.
The President of All Ceylon Egg Producer’s Association Sarath Ratnayake said his association has decided to release an egg at Rs 42 to the market. “Consumers will be able to purchase an egg at Rs 45 at the moment,” he said. He reiterated that the price of a chick is still Rs 800. The total cost to convert 1,000 chicks into fully grown laying birds is around Rs 300,000,” he added.
Minister Fernando earlier said the failure of the traders and producers of essential items could result in introducing controlled prices. “We don’t like to adopt a policy of controlled prices but we will be compelled to do it. I have called all trade associations for a meeting next week and I will be passing this message to them loud and clear,” the minister told a press briefing.
However, the announcement of the egg price reduction came just two days after the warning given by the minister.
The selling price of a white egg was Rs 45 while a brown egg was sold at Rs 48 in Pettah yesterday as per the prices put out by Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian and Research Institute.
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