According to the market intelligence platform, Index Box, there has been a significant decline in the production of eggs in Kenya over the last two years, resulting in a shortage and a rise in prices. This shortage has affected households who relied on eggs as a source of protein due to the high prices of beef, chicken, and fish. The average price of an egg has increased from Sh11 to Sh20 in the last year, causing many people to reduce their egg consumption and look for other options.
The high cost of production in Kenya, including chicken feed, taxes, and middlemen, has made the egg trade less lucrative for suppliers. Some have had to resort to importing eggs from neighboring Uganda, where the cost of production is lower. However, the former Kenyan administration banned egg imports from Uganda in 2019 to protect local farmers.
Bakers and pastry makers have also been affected by the shortage and high prices of eggs, leading them to increase their prices to cover the cost. The high price of eggs has also impacted low-income families, who are now seeking alternative sources of protein.
The main reason for the decline in egg production is attributed to the high cost of chicken feed, which has increased by over 40% due to the rising prices of maize and soya in the international market. The Association of Kenya Feed Manufactures is calling for the Ministry of Agriculture to intervene and help reduce the cost of production.
