Farmers accuse middlemen of hiking poultry products prices

Forum 9 months ago

Farmers accuse middlemen of hiking poultry products prices

The Lagos State chapter of the Poultry Association of Nigeria has said that plans are underway to set up poultry markets across the state in a move to stem the rising cost of poultry products.

The chairman of the association, Mr Mojeed Iyiola, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, on Monday, said the involvement of middlemen, who hike prices of the products incessantly, has been responsible for the rising cost.

This, according to him, informed the move by the association to set up poultry markets to sell at farm-gate prices.

“As an association, we are making attempts to break the monopoly of these middlemen in the sector.

“We want to set up poultry markets at each local government or LCDA across the state to sell our produce ourselves.

“We can supply directly to the final consumers at reasonable and affordable prices,’’ he said.

Iyiola added that the middlemen, who had more gains than the farmers, were the ones who created more problems within the poultry sector.

“Their profit margin is just too high. If you buy a crate (of eggs) for N2,300 at farm gates, at least selling at N2,500 is not too bad. But selling at N2,700 to N3,000 is exploitative of both the farmers and the consumers,” he said.

He revealed that consultation was ongoing with the local councils and LCDAs to set up poultry markets across the state.

He added that the markets would be open at weekends to give access to everyone.