In a strategic move to address the rising cost of poultry products, the Lagos State chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has announced plans to establish direct-to-consumer sales outlets across all local government areas (LGAs) in the state.
The initiative, spearheaded by PAN Lagos Chairman Mr. Mojeed Iyiola, aims to eliminate middlemen and offer more affordable prices to consumers, particularly for eggs and poultry meat.
“We are working with local government authorities to secure spaces where our members can sell directly to the public,” Iyiola said in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “This will reduce the added costs introduced by middlemen and bring relief to consumers.”
Feed Costs Still a Major Challenge
While the recent decline in maize prices, driven by government interventions, has slightly reduced pressure on poultry farmers, Iyiola noted that overall feed production costs remain high.
“Maize makes up about 60% of poultry feed, but we rely on at least 14 other components whose prices are still volatile,” he explained.
Key feed ingredients such as Methylene, which once cost ₦25,000 per 25kg bag, now sell for as high as ₦150,000. Other components like lysine, urea, and groundnut cake have also experienced significant price hikes, making it difficult for farmers to maintain profitability without increasing prices.
Direct Sales to Slash Consumer Prices
Currently, a crate of eggs sells at farm gates for between ₦5,000 and ₦5,500, but consumers often pay as much as ₦6,500 due to middleman markups. PAN believes that by selling directly to consumers, this margin can be eliminated, helping ease the financial burden on households.
Iyiola urged continued and expanded government support to stabilize input costs and protect both farmers and consumers from further inflation shocks.
“We are doing our part to cushion the impact on everyday Nigerians, but more needs to be done to support poultry farmers and ensure food affordability,” he said.
The planned direct-sale initiative is expected to boost local poultry market transparency, support smallholder farmers, and enhance food security across Lagos State.
