More Lankans consuming chicken, egg

Dulshani GUNAWARDENA and Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Sri Lanka has seen a rising trend in chicken and egg consumption during the past few years.

The consumption of chicken per head/per year has risen to 5.19kg in 2009 from 5.05kg in 2005.

Egg consumption has risen from 52 per head/per year in 2009 from 48 in 2006.

The end of the war has escalated the demand for poultry products.

Last year has seen an increase in consumption in the North and East.

The improved tourist activity has also contributed to this demand.

However this has led to a shortage in supply.

The present requirement of poultry is 11,000 metric tons per month with the present supply being 8,250 metric tons; 75 percent of the requirement.

The current retail price of one kilo of chicken has increased to Rs 350 from Rs 320 Livestock Development Ministry Secretary, Sunimal Senaratna said these high prices were mainly due to increased production costs. With the rise of feed cost, the production cost is approximately Rs.340.

Senaratna said producers have been instructed to maximize their supply while in the case of a shortage, imports of poultry will be made to reach the shortage from disease free countries.

Action is to be taken to stabilize feed cost through the introduction of a maximum retail price for maize.