Sri Lankan egg producers are facing mounting losses as the price of eggs drops below production costs, officials warn.
Wijaya Alwis, Secretary of the All Ceylon Egg Producers Association, said the country’s daily egg demand is around 9 to 10 million, but by August 2025, daily production is expected to rise to 11.5 to 12 million—creating a significant surplus.
“Egg prices have fallen because production exceeds consumption. At present, it costs Rs. 32 to Rs. 34 to produce an egg, but they are sold at stores for Rs. 27 to Rs. 28. This is causing heavy losses to producers,” Alwis said.
He warned that the future of the egg industry could be bleak if corrective measures are not taken. Alwis said the current oversupply stems from excessive imports of mother hens in the past, which were originally brought in to meet shortages.
While Sri Lanka requires 85,000 to 95,000 mother hens annually, production is expected to come from 145,000 to 150,000 hens by August 2025, further worsening the price collapse and the financial strain on producers.
