Egg prices rise as cold strikes
Egg prices rise as cold strikes
The price of eggs is higher after dry season cold weather caused chickens on many farms to get sick and not eat properly.
The problem caused chickens to lay fewer eggs than normal, with many shops lacking eggs to sell, Hadxaifong district, Vientiane chicken farm group head, Mr Phouvong Phongphansay told Vientiane Times on Friday.
“Members of the group raise about 9,500 chickens, normally providing about 280 egg boxes (one box comprises 30 eggs), but currently they are providing only 50 boxes,” he said.
The problem began occurring to chicken farmers, especially in Vientiane, from last month and has affected many farms.
“The cost of eggs at the farm gate increased from the normal 23,000 kip-24,000 kip a box to 26,000-27,000 kip currently, while the price at the markets is sure to be higher.”
“This price is not that high if comparing the capital cost of 26,500 kip to buy small chickens plus feed for breeding,” he commented.
In the past, chicken breeders always sold their egg product at a lower price than capital cost because of an over supplied market.
“The results are illegal egg imports from neighbouring countries, while the cost of animal feed often increased every year,” he explained.
“Breeders are trying to manage their businesses since the price of animal feed increased from 93,000-94,000 kip a sack to around 110,000 kip and there appears to be a lack of management of the concerned sector, he added.
However, he thinks that all chicken breeders are happy to sell their eggs at the current price after struggling to sell them for low prices in the past.
“The major problems for breeders are: disease is still occurring, the rising price of animal feed and the high interest loan rates from the banks,” he said.
He also asked the government to take responsibility to control the price of animal feed and help to provide loans at low interest rates.
Solving these issues will help increase profits of Lao chicken farmers, making them sustainable to continue supplying eggs and improve future food security for socio-economic development.
Mr Khamphou noted the government recently announced to livestock breeders groups and agricultural producers the availability of some low interest loans.
To obtain the loans farmers need to write an economic feasibility study of their farm and the purpose of those funds for the business operation.
“In the past, farmers requested the government to solve the problem but with no solution until recently,” Mr Phouvong added.
vientianetimes
