News
Bakers to get stock of cheaper imported eggs
All Island Egg Producers Association sounds warning about importing eggs from India. Pic by Akila Jayawardana
Eggs imported from India are likely to be priced at about Rs 42 per egg for bakeries.
A senior official of the State Trading Corporation (STC) said a shipment of two million eggs is due by the end of next week. The quantity is also expected to fulfil the needs of bakeries for 10 days.
The STC expects to sell the eggs at below the gazetted price of Rs. 44 and Rs. 46.
The coordinating secretary of the All Ceylon Bakery Association, Anil Hettiarachchi supports imports, while also taking precautions against possible bird flu infection.
The association said it will buy one container load to distribute among bakeries.
The bakery owners said they will keep the eggs in refrigerators and burn discarded egg shells.
Mr. Hettiarachchi expects a reduction in the price of eggs due to imports and a decline in the price of cake.
“With the increase in electricity bills, we cannot be sure. However, if the price of margarine and eggs drops, butter cake now at Rs. 1,200 per kilo can drop to Rs. 800,’’ he said.
Dr. N. T. Hewagamage, the secretary of the State Veterinary Surgeons Association said India has an active outbreak of bird flu at the moment, while Sri Lanka is free from the disease.
He said the Government was taking a risk.
“This is like the Government trying to feed people cake instead of bread,’’ Dr. Hewagamage said.
All Island Egg Producers Association chairman, Sarath Rathnayake opposes imports from India due to the disease risk.
“If bird flu arrives in Sri Lanka, we would have to kill all animals.’’ He wondered if the industry could bear such devastation.
Yet, he assured that production is increasing at a pace of 200,000 eggs per week.
“There would be an excess of eggs by December,’’ he said. Production would increase to around 85% to 90% by March 30, in time for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
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