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Homemakers wonder why bakers get eggs and not families
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Pix by M.A.Pushpakumara
By Nadia Fazlulhaq
The search for eggs this week has been far less fun than an Easter egg hunt for desperate households despite the Trade Ministry announcing that millions of eggs were imported from India.
Eggs are not available at leading supermarkets, or grocery stores. Retailers do not know when supplies will arrive.
‘Not available’ signs were seen at some wholesalers this week. Households, small-scale bakers and caterers are concerned ahead of the National New Year, the biggest cultural festival of Sri Lankans.
Those fortunate to find eggs, pay up to Rs. 55-Rs 60 an egg after closing hours of stores, while in some places eggs are sold by the kilo to avoid being fined for violating the maximum retail price of Rs. 48 for a brown egg and Rs. 44 for a white egg.
A manager of a supermarket branch said that despite the demand, very few stocks were being released to them. “Egg stocks are over within 30 minutes of being put onto shelves,” he said.
Shiromi, a mother of three, said: “We are worried the shortage of eggs is getting worse by the day. If bakeries and hotels are getting the imported eggs, shouldn’t the local production be made available to the public? Eggs are the only affordable protein for many households.’’
A cake shop owner on Cotta Avenue said: “Orders are coming in, and I’m going around in search of eggs. The supermarket nearby allocates one carton for me knowing I’m a baker. But most of the time this is not enough. Hope this shortage doesn’t continue till June.’’
State Trading Corporation chairman Asiri Walisundara said two million imported eggs were released to large-scale bakeries and hotels.
“The second and third consignments of about two million eggs have reached the country and are awaiting health clearance and sample testing. The Indian eggs cannot be released to the retail market as they cannot be kept out in the open for more than two days. In freezers, the eggs can last up to 90 days. Due to strict health and sanitary regulations we are restricted to these two sectors,” he said.
He said Sri Lanka’s daily egg consumption is about seven million and imported eggs cover 60% of the demand from hotels and bakeries.
All-Island Poultry Farmers Association President Ajith Gunasekare told the Sunday Times that price controls led to the shortage.
“With the current costs there is no way to sell at the gazetted prices. The controlled price is leading to a black market situation. People are desperately buying eggs even for Rs. 65,” he said.
Mr. Gunasekare said the Government’s failure to release forex to import animal feed on time has resulted in more than 40% of producers taking a break from their industry. 
“Some local producers have sold their egg-laying hens for poultry meat and taken a break from production. The shortage of chemical fertiliser had an impact on corn growers, so animal feed from local sources, too, was unavailable and that reduced production.’’
He urged the Government to remove the Rs .6 tax on an egg produced locally.
“If the Government assures that imports will be only for a limited time, we can start importing animal feed and parent birds. Without profits, local producers will not take the risk,” he said.
Amid the shortage, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) continues to raid retailers selling eggs above the gazetted maximum price.
The CAA said it has done 376 raids islandwide. This week, fines of more than Rs 900,000 has been imposed in Angunakolapelessa area. Retailers are fined between Rs. 100,000 and Rs 500,000 if found guilty, while companies could be liable to a fine of between Rs. 500,000 and Rs 5 million.
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