Egg trade weighs pros and cons of novel sales tactic

Poultry associations are divided about selling eggs by the kilo from this week. On April 19, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) issued a gazette setting a maximum retail price for a kilo, while leaving the option to sell per egg as well.

The MRP for a white egg was set at Rs 44 (per egg) and Rs 880 per kilo. Brown eggs have to be sold at Rs 46 (per egg) and Rs 920 per kilo.

All Island Poultry Farmers Association president Ajith Gunasekara said the idea had been suggested to the Government over a year ago. But he opposed the MRP.

He appreciates the choice to buy according to weight and per egg as well.

“Consumers can choose to buy individually or by weight. A household can buy eggs for the family, while restaurants that want small eggs for ‘appam’ [hoppers], can buy based on weight.’’

Mr. Gunasekara said consumers can ask to buy based on

The weight of an egg. Pic by Eshan Fernando

weight if only small eggs are available. “It would be hard at first.’’

He noted that the industry provides “a major income to the Government, since we pay Rs. 6 as taxes per egg.’’

Further, famers buy about 95% of corn for animal feed and also buy straw. Feed price has now dropped he said.

The Dummalasooriya Animal Production Co-operative Union

said the number of farms had fallen to about 100 from 1,000 before the coronavirus pandemic. As wholesalers, they believe selling eggs based on weight is impractical.

Bakers and hotels instead buy eggs from farms directly at higher prices.

The Egg Traders Union chairman, Anton Appuhami claims he is the first to start selling eggs by weight and Trade Minister Nalin

Fernando issued the gazette having noticed it.

“This system is fair to all since there are eggs of various weights ranging from 37 grams to 50g. This gazette is the best news,’’ he said. “Traders who cheated consumers by selling small eggs at Rs. 44 and Rs. 46 will have a problem with this.’’

Mr. Appuhami claims that he can sell a kilo below Rs. 880, “at around Rs. 850 or even Rs. 800’’.

He said: “We must be grateful to farmers who are committed to producing eggs even in this situation.” Farms endured challenges through the Easter Sunday attacks in 2019 and the coronavirus pandemic.

Chicks should be imported and the Government should encourage investment, he said.

“Chicks would be laying eggs in four-and-a-half months. Eggs will be available by December,’’ Mr. Appuhami said.

N. K. Jayawardena, the chairman of the All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association, expects the idea to be unsuccessful, just like when coconuts were measured with a tape to determine price.