Nigeria Faces Possible Egg Shortage as Day-Old Chick Supply Tightens

Nigeria’s poultry industry is warning of a possible egg shortage as farmers struggle to obtain day-old chicks needed to restock their farms, following years of disruptions that have weakened the sector.

Producers say limited availability of pullets—young layer birds raised to produce eggs—has pushed prices higher and slowed efforts by farmers to rebuild flocks. In several parts of the country, commercial pullets now sell for between ₦2,500 and ₦3,000 each, while a crate of eggs has climbed above ₦7,000 in some markets.

The current pressure on supply reflects a chain reaction that began several years ago. During a severe egg glut that hit the industry after the COVID-19 period, many farms were forced to shut down or scale back operations as prices collapsed and unsold stock piled up. Some producers in the South-West reportedly destroyed large quantities of eggs to limit losses. Demand for day-old chicks dropped sharply, forcing breeders higher up the production chain to reduce their stock as well.

According to Chief Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora, president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), the poultry breeding system operates through a multi-stage structure that cannot recover quickly once disrupted. Pure line birds produce grandparent stock, which in turn produces parent stock used to hatch commercial layers and broilers. When demand for chicks declined, each stage in the chain scaled down production.

The result is a supply gap that will take years to close. Industry players say rebuilding the breeding pipeline from pure line birds to commercial layers can take several years because each stage requires months before the next generation becomes productive.

Supply pressures are also being worsened by other factors. Some hatcheries have entered export arrangements with buyers in other West African countries, diverting part of their production outside Nigeria and reducing the number of chicks available locally.

At the same time, demand from local farmers has recently surged after egg prices stabilized and feed costs eased in parts of 2025. With many producers now attempting to rebuild their layer flocks, hatcheries are struggling to meet the sudden increase in orders.

Parent stock day-old chicks, which are used by hatcheries to produce commercial birds, have become particularly expensive, with some selling for as much as ₦9,000 each. Industry leaders say the scarcity has also created a waiting period of up to four months for farmers who place orders with reputable hatcheries.

Middlemen are further inflating prices by reselling pre-ordered birds to farmers who cannot wait for scheduled deliveries.

For many farmers, the delay is already affecting production plans. Gloria Amurudu, a poultry farmer in Jos, said she placed an order for pullets in November 2025 but has yet to receive the birds due to the ongoing shortage.

Investment patterns within the poultry sector have also played a role. Industry operators say more capital has traditionally flowed into broiler production for meat rather than layer farming for eggs, leaving fewer hatcheries focused on breeding layer parent stock.

With demand rising again, the industry is now facing the consequences of years of reduced investment and downsized breeding operations.

Farmers are also raising concerns about declining quality in some chicks entering the market. Weak regulation of hatcheries has allowed some operators to hatch eggs from older or poorly managed breeding stock, which can lead to birds that produce fewer eggs.

Producers warn that high operating costs are compounding the situation. The cost of feed, medication, energy, labour and equipment remains high, making it difficult for farmers to expand even when birds are available.

In Kano, the chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria in the state, Dr Usman Gwarzo, described the industry as being under severe strain. With chicks costing more than ₦3,000 and long waiting periods for supply, many farmers are unable to restock their farms.

Industry stakeholders are urging the government to consider temporary measures to ease the shortage, including limited importation of hatchable eggs to help hatcheries expand chick production. However, they oppose any move to allow imports of table eggs, warning that such a step could further damage local producers.

Officials in the livestock sector acknowledge the supply gap and say discussions are ongoing with industry players to stabilise production.

For now, farmers say the shortage of day-old chicks is likely to tighten egg supply and push prices higher in the months ahead.