Following the call by poultry farmers for a lasting solution to the challenge of egg glut in the country, Pastor Francis Toromade, a poultry expert and consultant, has canvassed for the establishment of more egg powder production companies in the country.
Toromade while addressing newsmen said local manufacturing of egg powder for use by food and beverage companies is one of the solution to the egg glut problems that has been facing the poultry industry.
According to him, egg powder is a product of processed fresh eggs used by most food and beverage industries for the production of products like baby food, pastries and other confectioneries.
Reports reveal that food processing industries in West Africa spend over $2 billion annually in imports of egg and milk powder products.
Nigeria is said to spend $1 billion annually in egg powder imports alone.
Toromade noted that these companies prefer to use imported egg powder not only because it is scarcely available in the country but also because it is a cheaper option.
He said: “Egg powder is not manufactured in Nigeria because of the high cost of inputs.
“Chickens need to consume maize as part of the ingredients in their feed to produce eggs.
“If maize imported into Nigeria, including tariffs, cost N80,000 per ton and the one produced in Nigeria cost N140,000 per ton, then there is no way egg powder produced in Nigeria will not be more expensive than the imported ones.
“That is why industries have continued to import egg powder into the country because they are businesses operating to make profits and the inability to get cheaper alternatives in the country worsen the situation.”
Toromade noted that if there are enough functional egg powder production companies in the country, competition may force down price, encouraging industries to patronise locally produced egg powder and thereby reducing egg glut.
He further identified eating habit and stakeholder’s inability to advertise egg products as other causes of egg glut in Nigeria.
According to him, most Nigerians are not aware of the health benefits of eating eggs and egg producing agric-businesses are not doing enough in terms of advertising and sensitizing the public on the health benefits they can derive from egg consumption.
Toromade called on government to look at ways by which price of inputs can be reduced to increase egg production and encourage investment into local egg powder production.
Recall that the Ondo State Government recently inaugurated a new Egg Powder Plant in Emure-Ile, Ondo State, which was established through a Public Private Partnership arrangement with Greenfield Assets Limited.
The plant is expected to create about 25,000 jobs and earn the country over $1 billion in foreign exchange savings as well as boost increased incomes for poultry farmers.
