Poultry Group Pushes for Maize Import License to Cut Production Costs

Poultry Group Pushes for Maize Import License to Cut Production Costs

The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Lagos State chapter, has called for the authorization to import maize, aiming to lower production costs.

Mr. Mojeed Iyiola, chairman of PAN Lagos State chapter, highlighted this during an interview with journalists on Tuesday in Lagos.

Iyiola pointed out that production costs have surged since the start of the year, prompting the association’s request for an import license.

“Currently, the importation of maize is restricted to a few entities, who prioritize their own profits. Even when they sell to poultry farmers and feed processors, the prices remain as high as those in the open market.

“We are urging the government to grant us, as an association, the license to import maize directly. This would enable us to sell to our members at more affordable rates, thereby reducing our production costs.

“Relying on middlemen significantly increases our expenses. To make the import waiver policy truly beneficial for the poultry sector, we need the direct importation license,” Iyiola emphasized.

He also addressed the rising costs of poultry products, particularly eggs, attributing it to the escalating price of poultry feed.

“The price of eggs cannot decrease at this moment, as feed producers are increasing costs by at least N800 every three days. For instance, grower feed that was priced at N3,500 for a 25kg bag at the start of the year is now nearly N13,000 per bag.

“No matter the feed quality, a layer cannot produce more than one egg per day. Egg laying is a cyclical process that must complete before a bird can lay again,” Iyiola explained.

He expressed concern that with the rising production costs, eggs are becoming less accessible to low-income households.

“This is unfortunate because a single egg provides all the nutritional requirements needed by the human body,” Iyiola noted.