Poultry products in Ghana will witness a 15% rise in prices ahead of Christmas, according to the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association. The Association's Chief Executive, Mohammed Ali, cited rising costs of animal feed and imported production inputs as the reason for the price increase.
The increasing cost of maize, soya, and other feed ingredients, coupled with higher freight charges, is putting pressure on poultry production costs.
The Association is calling on the government to address the high cost of feed inputs by supporting increased local production of maize and soya. Mr Ali explained that most of the ingredients used in poultry feed are imported, leaving local farmers exposed to international price movements and rising transportation costs.
He also called for stronger measures to address price disparities between poultry farmers and retailers, particularly in the egg market.
The farm-gate prices of eggs currently range between GHS 40 and GHS 45, and the Association argues that retail prices should not exceed GHS 50. The Association distributed over 100,000 eggs to schools as part of its World Egg Day activities, aimed at encouraging children to make egg consumption part of their daily meals.
Mr Ali urged the association to extend the Nkokor Nkitinkiti initiative to improve its implementation and deliver greater benefits to local poultry farmers.
The price increase is expected to affect consumers ahead of the Christmas festivities, with the Association warning that prices may rise by at least 15%. The government's response to the Association's calls for support will be crucial in determining the extent of the price increase.
The Ministry of Trade and Agribusiness may introduce measures to bring discipline into the market and address practices that prevent traders from selling eggs at lower prices.
The Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association's projection of a 15% rise in poultry prices is based on the current market trends and the increasing cost of production inputs. The Association's call for government support to increase local production of maize and soya may help reduce the cost of feed inputs and mitigate the price increase.
The impact of the price increase on consumers will depend on the government's response to the Association's calls for support and the measures introduced to address price disparities in the egg market.