In a bold move to tackle rising food prices and ensure fairer market access, the Lagos State chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has announced plans to establish official sales points across all Local Government Areas (LGAs). The initiative is designed to cut out middlemen, lower egg prices for consumers, and boost farmers’ earnings.
Currently, poultry farmers sell eggs at the farm gate for between ₦5,000 and ₦5,500 per crate, while the same crate often retails for as much as ₦6,500 in Lagos markets. The new direct-to-consumer model aims to reduce this price gap by up to ₦1,000 per crate.
“We believe the time has come for farmers to sell directly to consumers,” said PAN Lagos Chairman, Mr. Mojeed Iyiola, during a recent media parley. “We are working with local authorities to set up designated sale points in every LGA, allowing Lagosians to buy poultry products at more affordable rates.”
How It Will Work
The proposed sales points will be located within council premises and are expected to operate regularly especially on weekends. These mini-markets will serve as official poultry outlets where consumers can purchase eggs and other poultry products directly from farmers.
The initiative is a strategic response to longstanding issues of price inflation and market inefficiencies caused by layers of middlemen in the supply chain.
Rising Costs Behind the Push
While maize prices the primary ingredient in poultry feed have stabilized due to government interventions, other essential components such as methionine, lysine, urea, and groundnut cake have seen significant price hikes. For instance, the cost of a 25kg bag of methionine has soared from ₦25,000–₦30,000 to ₦150,000 in recent months.
These surging input costs have made it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain profitability without passing costs on to consumers.
Government Support and Broader Food Security Strategy
The Lagos State Government has thrown its weight behind the poultry sector through the ₦500 million Ounje Eko Farmers’ Subsidy Programme, which provides a 25% subsidy on poultry and fish feed. Additionally, infrastructure projects such as agro-processing centers and egg aggregation hubs in Ikorodu and Erikorodo are helping modernize the value chain.
“These direct sales points complement our broader efforts to ensure food security and reduce the cost of living for Lagosians,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture.
A Win-Win for All
Consumers stand to benefit from lower prices, while poultry farmers can increase their margins and regain control over pricing. The move also promises to reduce the volatility of egg prices in the state and ensure a more transparent, efficient distribution system.
The pilot phase of the initiative is expected to begin in select LGAs within the coming weeks, with a full rollout across the state anticipated before the end of the year.
