Egg Prices Set to Drop in 2-3 Weeks

 Mr. Ratnasiri Alahakoon, Secretary of the All Ceylon Egg Producers' Association, states that the increased egg prices in the market will definitely come down within two or three weeks. He also stated that claims made by some parties that over three million egg-laying hens have been destroyed due to adverse weather conditions are completely false,

and he pointed out that the real reason for the price increase and production decline was the inability to properly provide essential food and medicine to the animals for about a week.

Due to roads being submerged by floodwaters in recent days, there have been disruptions in transporting rice polish stock from areas like Kalmunai and Batticaloa. Additionally, the inundation of rice mills and animal feed warehouses has created a shortage of animal feed. Currently, the price of soya, which was Rs. 180, has risen to Rs. 260, a kilogram of maize, previously around Rs. 140, has increased to Rs. 170, and rice polish, which was at Rs. 130, has gone up to Rs. 150. In some instances, feed is unavailable even at higher prices.

Only a small percentage, about two or three percent, of farms with egg-laying hens were completely destroyed due to the floods. However, the Secretary explained that the lack of proper food and vitamins for a week would affect the egg-laying process of the animals for about a month. Since it takes 20 to 30 days for an egg to form, this process is currently returning to normal, and egg prices will decrease as production returns to normal in the coming weeks.