The cost of eggs in Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory has surged to levels that have pushed many residents to cut back on consumption or abandon purchases altogether. A market survey conducted over the weekend showed that a crate of 30 eggs now sells for between ₦5,900 and ₦7,500, depending on the seller's location. Wholesaler Moturanyo Alao linked the price hike to extreme heat, which has reduced poultry productivity, and rising fuel costs that inflate transportation expenses. She noted that feed prices have also climbed, compounding the strain on supply. Retailer Musa Abdullahi reported that his previous crate price of ₦6,000 had climbed to ₦6,400–₦7,000 as suppliers struggled to meet demand. A poultry farm manager, speaking anonymously, confirmed that sourcing eggs from multiple farms to fill orders had pushed retail prices from ₦5,800 to ₦6,500.
Petty trader Ruth Johnson said she now buys eggs by the piece instead of by the crate, paying about ₦250 per egg after prices hit ₦6,000 per crate in 2025. Civil servant Ngozi Okachukwu, mother of four, called eggs a luxury item, opting instead for beans and other protein sources that stretch household budgets further. Security guard John Akor said the price surge had made eggs inaccessible to low-income earners, while tea seller Abubakar Nura raised his egg price to ₦350 each, forcing some customers to skip it entirely. Professional baker Caroline Eka said the egg price increase had forced her to raise cake prices to avoid losses.
The National Bureau of Statistics' February 2025 food price report recorded a 0.52% year-on-year rise in the average crate price, from ₦5,967.12 to ₦6,007.35 in February 2026.
The heatwave's role in shrinking poultry output exposes how climate shocks ripple through food chains, turning staples into luxuries overnight. If rising temperatures keep crippling local production, Nigeria may soon import eggs to stabilize prices—a costly shift that could deepen food inflation rather than ease it.
