Poultry products to witness 15% rise in prices ahead of Christmas – farmers warn

The Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association anticipates a minimum 15 percent surge in poultry product prices prior to the Christmas period, attributing the rise to escalating expenses in animal feed and imported production materials. Mohammed Ali, the association's Chief Executive, disclosed to Joy Business during a school outreach in Dansoman to observe World Egg Day that the escalating costs of maize, soya, and other feed constituents, combined with higher freight charges, are exerting strain on poultry production expenses.

Ali warned that consumers can anticipate some price modifications by Christmas, stating, "Maybe not less than 15 percent, we must see some price change." He noted that most feed ingredients are imported, rendering local farmers vulnerable to global market fluctuations and rising transportation costs. Ali urged the government to tackle the high cost of feed inputs by promoting expanded local cultivation of maize and soya.

He emphasized that abundant local production would inevitably decrease feed prices; however, without it, the poultry sector has limited recourse. The association is also advocating for more robust steps to resolve price discrepancies between poultry farmers and retailers, particularly in the egg market. Ali expressed concern over the significant disparity between farm-gate prices and retail prices, with traders allegedly inflating the price of a crate by up to GH¢20.

He reported that farm-gate prices presently range between GH¢40 and GH¢45, arguing that retail prices should not surpass GH¢50.