COLOMBO (NewsRadio); Egg producers have pledged to sell eggs at prices less than the maximum retail prices declared by the government.
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Egg Producers’ Association RM Sarath Rathnayake claimed the public can purchase white eggs for Rs. 43 and brown eggs for Rs. 45 at economic centres across the country and in the open market.
Rathnayake therefore requested authorities to halt egg imports which have had a massive impact on the local poultry industry.
The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Egg Producers’ Association said the government should provide subsidies and incentives for poultry farmers and tax concessions to import raw materials to produce animal feed.
He said it will lead to the country being self-sufficient in eggs.
Sarath Rathnayake noted that plans are underway to start 15,000 poultry farms this month after training around 20,000 youth.
He said nearly seven million eggs are required for daily local consumption but only six million eggs are produced at present.
Earlier this year, the government decided to import eggs from India, considering the shortage of eggs in the market and the hike in prices.
Eggs from India were given only to bakeries and hoteliers, however authorities are contemplating to sell imported eggs in the open market, if prices of eggs are not reduced by local producers.
