Egg imports until prices drop - Minister

Irangika Range

Eggs will be imported until the price of an egg is brought down to Rs 12, Co-operatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando said.

"I will import eggs until the egg mafia is broken," he said. There are certain attempts by an organized mafia to artificially increase egg prices.

"It is reported the price of an egg has gone down in the wholesale market by only 50 cents even after the first consignment of two million imported eggs was released to the market on Tuesday.

"That is why, we decided to import another five million eggs from India. They will arrive in the country on Monday," the Minister said.

"Likewise, the Ministry will continue to import until the price of an egg reduces to Rs 12," he said.

"The production cost of an egg is only Rs 7.75. If we add another Rs 3.50 for transport costs an egg could be sold for around Rs 11," Minister Fernando said.

"But the traders' mafia continues to exploit the situation by selling an egg at Rs 17 which is an exorbitant price. We will directly get involved in reducing the prices of eggs and will not allow unscrupulous traders to make huge profits, by putting a heavy burden on the poor consumers", he said. He further said that the first consignment of two million imported eggs distributed to the market have already been sold.