Nigeria is facing a fresh spike in egg prices, with a crate now selling as high as N8,500 in some retail outlets, driven largely by a shortage of day-old chicks (DOCs) that has constrained poultry production and tightened supply across the country.
Findings show that farm gate prices have risen to about N5,500 per crate, up from N5,000 in January 2026.
Retailers now sell between N6,000 and N6,500 depending on egg size, while supermarkets and large grocery stores price crates between N7,000 and N8,500, reflecting rising distribution and operating costs, News Agency of Nigeria reported.
Industry stakeholders say the shortage of DOCs, a critical input for egg production, is the primary driver of the looming scarcity. According to the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), hatcheries are fully booked months in advance, leaving farmers unable to restock their flocks after selling off ageing layers.
