The price of eggs has continued to soar across Kano markets, with an egg now selling for about N250, up from N200 in recent weeks.
Before the start of Ramadan, a crate of eggs was priced between N6,000 and N6,500, but since the fasting period began, the cost has surged to about N8,500 per crate.
The sharp increase is triggering public outrage, especially as the development coincides with the Ramadan fasting period.
Many residents have expressed concern that traders may be taking advantage of the holy month, a period when families rely heavily on eggs for breakfast and for preparing meals after breaking the daily fast.
“I used to buy eggs regularly for my family, but now it is becoming difficult,” said Aisha Abdullahi.
However, poultry farmers in the state have denied increasing their prices.
The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Kano Chapter said the high prices being recorded in markets do not reflect what farmers are charging at the farm level.
The chairman of the association, Dr Usman Gwarzo, said poultry farms in Kano are still selling a crate of eggs for between “N4,300 and N5,500”, depending on the size.
He said these prices are the same rates farmers charged before the start of Ramadan.
Dr Gwarzo blamed the sharp increase in market prices on dealers, retailers and other middlemen who buy eggs directly from farms and resell them to consumers at higher rates.
According to him, “the problem is also being worsened by high demand during the fasting period.”
He explained that many people consume more eggs during Ramadan than at any other time of the year, putting pressure on supply across the state.
Dr Gwarzo said farmers are not able to respond immediately to the sudden increase in demand because egg production cannot be expanded overnight.
“We cannot bring more chickens today and expect them to start laying eggs immediately,” he said.
He added that the current situation may only begin to improve after Ramadan, when demand drops and the market becomes more stable.
The association’s chairman also urged traders to act responsibly and avoid exploiting consumers during the holy month.
Meanwhile, at Tarauni Market, Biliya Ahmad, an egg vendor, said the price surge is partly linked to a long-standing shortage of locally produced eggs, which has been made worse by economic challenges facing the poultry industry.
She said “The shortage started before Ramadan and has continued to affect the market.”
Ahmad also pointed to the rising cost of poultry feed and other farm inputs as a key factor driving the increase in egg prices.
