A Crate Of Eggs At Ksh 360 Down From Ksh 450

By Lynnet Okumu / Published May 10, 2022 | 3:32 pm

KEY POINTS

Egg imports from Uganda have always been a problem to the local market because they retail at cheaper prices, thus suppressing the local commodity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The average cost of a layer’s mash has climbed up rapidly to 4000 shillings per 70Kg down from 3,200 shillings in 2021.

A crate of eggs that was selling at 450 shillings is now down to 360 shillings, with the fall attributed to the increased supply amidst low purchasing power across the country.

The surplus supply of eggs, according to Kenya Poultry Association Chairperson, Wairimu Kariuki, is due to the stocks kept when the country was recovering from the effects of Covid-19

“Farmers have a lot of eggs because the layers they stocked after the scarcity during Covid-19 are now in production,” Ms. Kariuki said.

The feed millers have, however, raised concerns that the surplus that has caused the low egg prices is due to imports from Uganda.

“The price of eggs has dropped because we are now getting too much of it from Uganda, which has now suppressed the local commodity,” Secretary-general of the Association of Kenya Animal Feed Manufactures, Martin Kinoti said.

Egg imports from Uganda have always been a problem to the local market because they retail at cheaper prices, thus suppressing the local commodity.

Moreover, farmers are now buying fewer bags of the expensive layers mash to lower the production cost. And that means a decrease in profits for the feed millers.

The average cost of a layer’s mash has climbed up rapidly to 4000 shillings per 70Kg down from 3,200 shillings in 2021.

In the retail shops, Kenyans are buying an egg for between 10-13 shillings. This is a decrease of about 2 shillings from a month ago when an egg was retailing at 15 shillings.

The cost of several basic commodities including eggs has been on a rising spree, thus lowering the purchasing power of Kenyans.