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Tensions remain over egg prices among poultry producers
View(s):By Senuka Jayakody
The dispute among poultry producers over the Gazette notification on the maximum price for eggs is still ongoing.
The Gazette notification on the maximum price for eggs is still causing some controversy with some poultry producers supporting it while others opposing the move.
An extraordinary gazette by the Consumer Affairs Authority on January 20, 2023 declared the price of a white egg at Rs. 44 and a brown egg at Rs. 46.
Farmers are currently releasing eggs at the prices of Rs. 40 each, which are sold by the wholesalers for Rs. 42 and by the retailers for Rs. 44.
Due to the imposition of the new gazette, when the court case against the gazette imposed back in August 2022 was called on February 6, 2023, parties agreed to withdraw the court case.
The Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA), Shantha Niriella speaking to the Sunday Times stated that the prices were decided considering producers as well.
The Chairman of the All Island Egg Producers Association, Sarath Rathnayake accepted the current gazette prices due to the reducing production costs. However, the prices are only satisfactory for the large-scale producers but insufficient for a small scale producer to continue their business.
Farmers are currently releasing eggs at the prices of Rs. 40 each, which are sold by the wholesalers for Rs. 42 and by the retailers for Rs. 44.
He stated that if the prices of substitutes such as fish or meat decreased, the price of eggs would decrease as well.
The President of the All Island Poultry Farmers Association, Ajith Gunasekara, proposes prices of Rs. 47 for white eggs and Rs. 49 for brown eggs.
He stated that farmers are now refusing to provide transport and they sell to anyone who arrives at the farm for Rs. 42. This leaves only Rs. 1 profit for wholesalers and retailers.
“Now the board is present but the goods are absent,” he commented.
Kalyani Jayathilake, the President of the Small and Medium Scale Egg Producers Association said that they can provide eggs at Rs. 30 if prices of layered chicken feed is reduced.
She said the prices have been decided considering the expenses borne by large scale farms and not from the small and medium scale farms.
She proposes prices of Rs. 46 for white eggs and Rs. 48 for red eggs, while currently selling eggs at Rs. 42 for wholesalers.
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