(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Poultry Producers Association has agreed to provide eggs to consumers at a price of 55 rupees during a discussion held with the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera on Monday (26).
As the price of eggs in the local market is exceeding 70 rupees, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera yesterday held discussions with several associations of poultry producers and egg producers in order to provide eggs to consumers at a minimum price and to take measures to control the rise in the price of eggs.
The Minister has emphasized that it is the responsibility of the government to protect the local producer as well as the consumer and if the local poultry industry does not provide eggs at a reasonable price, the government will have to import eggs to provide eggs at a minimum price.
The producers who expressed their opinions have pointed out that they are still supplying eggs at the price of 49 and 55 rupees and that a certain group of middlemen has worked to increase the price of eggs by keeping the eggs in storage.
However, from the end of this month, the relevant producers have agreed to supply an egg to consumers at a price of 55 rupees.
Also, as a start, the relevant industrialists have agreed to send 20 lorries transporting eggs to Colombo daily and sell them to the customers in the populated areas and also to expand the activities to other urban areas as well.
In addition, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera expressed his agreement to provide facilities to sell eggs at all economic centers and Sathosa outlets and to egg sellers and will also seek Police protection if necessary if there are threats from groups resorting to disruptive activities.
It was also discussed to initiate a proper plan in order to uplift the egg and poultry industry by May next year, even though there is some decline in the poultry industry due to the current shortage of animal feed and rising prices.
A group of officials from the Livestock Division of the Ministry of Agriculture also participated.
