The rift between egg sellers and poultry farmers over the persistent increase in egg prices across Nigeria has widened, with the Egg Sellers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (ESDAN) firmly rejecting long-standing accusations of profiteering.
Mrs Olaide Graham, ESDAN’s President, dismissed the claims from poultry farmers that distributors are responsible for the hike, labelling the allegations as “a blatant lie.” She insisted that the association’s central aim is to ensure eggs remain available and affordable to the average Nigerian citizen, arguing that distributors should not be blamed for the overall soaring cost. To demonstrate this, she highlighted the current market rate, noting that her members sell a crate of eggs—which contains thirty pieces—for as low as N5,500. Graham contended that when compared to the cost of other proteins like fish or meat, eggs still represent the most affordable and available source of nutrition for consumers, making the argument that her members are unduly inflating prices entirely unfounded.
The association has attempted to seek a cooperative agreement with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) to help stabilise market rates, but these efforts have reportedly been unsuccessful. Graham suggested that the farmers are deliberately refusing to collaborate because they wish to maintain a “monopoly,” desiring to handle both production and sales themselves. She noted that this refusal to see the distributors’ perspective is likely the reason for the ongoing and inaccurate accusations against sellers.
Furthermore, the ESDAN president staunchly defended the crucial role of middlemen, stating it is “impossible to eradicate” them if the poultry sector is to thrive. She detailed how distributors absorb significant financial risk: they must pay the farmers in full for the eggs upfront, but then often sell the highly perishable goods to retailers on credit. This system places the distributor at the losing end, as they must sell quickly to prevent spoilage. Graham warned that if farmers were to eliminate this essential distribution link, which she claims is responsible for pushing the sector forward, some farmers might find the business too difficult and be forced to close down.
This forceful rebuttal from the distributors comes as poultry farmers have consistently pointed to the alleged greed of middlemen as the principal cause of high retail egg prices, claiming they exploit difficult market conditions for excessive personal gain. ESDAN’s strong denial brings the core issue of egg affordability down to a deep, structural disagreement over market control and who determines the final price paid by the consumer.
