Tough January As A Tray Of Eggs Hits Ksh 450

By Getrude Mathayo / Published January 9, 2023 | 2:05 pm

KEY POINTS

The cost of soy has doubled to 130 shillings from 65 shillings a kilogram in August last year, while the sunflower meal went up from 25 shillings to 35 shillings.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

One egg now sells at 15 shillings from 13 shillings previously, though, other retail shops sell an egg as low as 13 shillings and 2 for 25 shillings in Nairobi

Kenyans continue to face tough economic times with prices of basic commodities rising sharply every day. A crate of eggs that was selling at 360 shillings is now up to 450 shillings with the increase attributed to the increased supply amidst low purchasing power across the country.

One egg now sells at 15 shillings from 13 shillings previously, though, other retail shops sell an egg as low as 13 shillings and 2 for 25 shillings in Nairobi. Traders attribute the sharp increase to a shortage locally as farmers cut on their stocks due to the high prices of feeds

The price of layers marsh has been also on an upward trend since last 2022 with a 50-kilogram bag from Unga Limited retailing at 3,100 shillings from 2,500 shillings in March 2022. This has in turn pushed up the cost of production at the farm level.

The high cost of feeds is attributed to expensive maize and a shortage of key protein supplements such as sunflower cake and soy, which are hardly found locally. Kenya normally relies on the supply of these ingredients from Zambia, a key source market, which last year banned exports to protect its market.

The cost of soy has doubled to 130 shillings from 65 shillings a kilogram in August last year, while the sunflower meal went up from 25 shillings to 35 shillings.

The dip in the supply of eggs has been linked to the tightening of the noose on the import of eggs from Uganda, from where most suppliers source the commodity from. New measures were put in place to stop the smuggling of eggs into the country.

Apart from eggs, several basic commodities including cooking oil, maize flour, and milk have seen up upward trajectory in their prices. This has forced a number of businesses close shop due to unsustainable profit margins.

Related Content: Kenyans to Pay More for Eggs Over Shortage