The Government yesterday issued a Gazette notification stipulating the new Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for eggs.

As per the new Gazette, a white egg must be sold at a maximum price of Rs. 44, while a brown egg must be sold at Rs. 46.

The Gazette notification was issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman. This is the second time an MRP was announced. In August an MRP of Rs. 43 was fixed on white eggs and Rs. 45 on brown/red eggs.

The latest move comes after the Cabinet of Ministers approved the importation of eggs on 2 January, to control the escalating prices of eggs in the market and entrusted the State Trading (General) Corporation with the task. On 9 January, the STC floated international tenders to import eggs to meet the current demand.

An egg is considered the cheapest source of protein available given the current economic crisis for many. 

The price of an egg rose to over Rs. 65 after the suspension of the previous extraordinary gazette notification published by the Consumer Affairs Authority stipulating MRP on eggs. 

Following multiple crises, around 50% of the SMEs engaged in the industry gave up on the sector which led to a 40% drop in egg production and a 35% dip in chicken production. The poultry industry has 300,000 people, directly and indirectly, engaged including over 200 families. 

Sri Lanka’s annual average per capita consumption is 118 eggs while the daily production is around seven million.

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