By The Pulseline News Desk
Delays in approving maize imports could push up the prices of chicken and eggs during the upcoming festive season, with poultry producers warning that shortages of the key feed ingredient are already weighing on production.
All Island Poultry Association President Ajith Gunasekara has said the prolonged shortage of maize has forced producers to increasingly use rice as a substitute in poultry feed, affecting both the quantity and efficiency of production.
According to Gunasekara, the substitution has contributed to a significant decline in the production of poultry meat and eggs, raising concerns about the availability of supplies as demand typically increases during the festive period.
He has said the impact was particularly severe on small-scale poultry farmers, with around 20% of them having already exited the industry because of difficulties in securing sufficient maize.
The poultry industry depends heavily on maize as a major energy source in feed. Any disruption to its availability can therefore increase production costs while also affecting the growth and productivity of birds.
Gunasekara has warned that unless the government moves quickly to facilitate maize imports and address the feed shortage, the reduced production could translate into higher retail prices for consumers during the festive season.
The warning comes at a time when poultry products traditionally see stronger demand, putting additional pressure on an industry already dealing with higher feed costs and reduced production capacity.
Industry representatives have repeatedly stressed that ensuring an adequate supply of maize is essential to maintaining poultry production and preventing supply shortages from feeding through to consumer prices.
With a growing number of smaller producers leaving the sector, the industry is also facing concerns beyond the immediate festive-season price impact, including the potential loss of production capacity if the feed shortage persists.
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