The Egg Sellers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (ESDAN) has dismissed claims by poultry farmers that middlemen are responsible for the persistent rise in egg prices across the country.
Speaking in Lagos, ESDAN President, Mrs. Olaide Graham, said the association’s objective remains to make eggs affordable and accessible to Nigerians, adding that distributors are not complicit in inflating prices.
“We currently sell a crate of eggs for as low as ₦5,500. Eggs remain the most affordable source of protein compared to meat or fish,” Graham said. “These accusations from poultry farmers are unfounded. We distributors are not to blame for the price increments.”
She noted that despite market fluctuations, eggs remain available to consumers and reiterated the association’s commitment to maintaining supply.
In commemoration of World Egg Day, Graham said the association distributed food aids to widows, the elderly, and less-privileged individuals under the theme “The Mighty Egg,” highlighting its nutritional importance.
Graham further accused poultry farmers of resisting efforts to collaborate and stabilise prices, saying their refusal to engage has sustained market volatility.
“We have made several attempts to synergise with the Poultry Association of Nigeria, but they have refused. They want to produce and sell directly, sidelining distributors,” she explained. “We are simply asking for cooperation so we can identify and curb the real causes of price disruptions.”
The ESDAN president argued that middlemen play a vital role in the egg value chain, ensuring consistent market supply and bearing most of the financial risks.
“Farmers demand payment upfront, while we often sell on credit to retailers. Eggs are perishable, so distributors bear the brunt of losses when sales slow,” she said. “Eliminating middlemen would hurt the sector because we are the ones driving distribution.”
While poultry farmers have accused distributors of exploiting the market for profit, ESDAN insists that such claims are misplaced, urging for stronger cooperation within the value chain to stabilise the egg market.
