Ramadan: Price of eggs skyrockets in Kano

Price of eggs in Kano has surged dramatically following the commencement of the Ramadan fasting period, leaving many consumers grappling with the sharp rise in prices.

A visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to Sabon-Gari and Yankaba markets, two major hubs for egg sales, revealed a significant increase in the prices in spite of the high demand for the commodity.

Before the start of Ramadan, a crate of eggs was priced between N6,000 and N6,500, but since the fasting period began, the cost had surged to N8,500 per crate.

Egg sellers in these markets attributed the price hike to heightened demand for eggs during Ramadan, when many Muslim families typically consume more for iftar.

Musa Sani, an egg vendor at the Yankaba market, said that the price surge was partly due to a long-standing shortage of locally produced eggs, which has been exacerbated by economic challenges within the poultry industry.

“The shortage started before Ramadan and has continued to affect the market,” Sani said.

Nasiru Ali, another distributor at Sabon-Gari, pointed to the rising costs of poultry maintenance as a key contributor to the price increase.

“The costs of raising chickens, buying feed, and maintaining poultry farms have all gone up, which has affected the price of eggs,” Ali said.

A seller in Zoo Road also mentioned that, in the weeks leading up to Ramadan, eggs were readily available, and prices were stable.

He, however, said that as the fasting period approached, the supply dwindled and prices began to climb.

“Eggs that were sold for N200 per piece are now priced between N280 and N300,” the seller explained.

Abdulsalam Mudi, chairman of the Egg Sellers Association at Dakata market, confirmed that the price spike was the result of both the increased demand during Ramadan and the ongoing shortage of eggs in the market.

“The combination of higher demand during Ramadan and the egg shortage has caused this significant price hike,” Mudi stated.

A buyer, Nura Imam, voiced frustration over the recurrent price increases during festive seasons.

He called on authorities and market stakeholders to offer greater support for poultry farmers to ensure a steady supply of eggs throughout the fasting season and beyond.

The Star