The Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association has expressed concern over rising foreign participation in the industry, warning that it is a key factor behind the ongoing egg glut confronting producers across the region. The Association noted that the development is already affecting employee wages and threatening the survival of several local investments.
After showing strong growth earlier in the year, the sector began to decline sharply in June, with farms—particularly those in Sunyani—reporting mounting egg surpluses. Ali Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of the Association, revealed that approximately 38,000 crates of eggs remain unsold, attributing the challenge to increased foreign involvement, particularly by Chinese traders, in the retail market. He cautioned that their presence is edging out local producers.
“I believe every sector in the economy has a participant defined, and I am not sure I can go to India, China, Ethiopia today, and I will be allowed to establish a poultry [farm] without the necessary regulation being checked to start just producing eggs.
He observed that the retail sector of the economy is intended primarily for local participation, with clear rules governing any foreign involvement. However, he cautioned that recent developments show foreign investors entering with substantial capital, creating an uneven playing field for local businesses.
Large-scale poultry farms have emerged in areas such as Asutuare and Fetteh, with Chinese operators expanding beyond illegal mining (galamsey) into poultry production. A visit to Blessed Farms, which maintains 1,500 birds and produces roughly 30 crates of eggs daily, underscored the gravity of the situation. Its owner, Marian Mensah, reported that demand has fallen sharply, making it increasingly difficult to sustain operations and meet daily expenses.
“These days they don’t buy because they said the ones outside is cheaper. The Chinese people are spoiling our market. They said the big ones they sell it GHȼ40-45. If you buy quality eggs it is good because you have to buy quality feed. It affects me [if they don’t buy] because you don’t sell and get money, you can’t take care of your family,” she lamented. Employees are also feeling the impact. Rita Doglo Venyuye, an employee of Blessed Farms, fears her salary may not be paid this month due to the slowdown.
“Two weeks now into November, I can say it has been difficult. I know that it will delay my payment because the things I will sell out and they will pay me out of it are still the,” she mentioned. Sector players warn that more farms could collapse if the trend continues. Jerry Otoo Larkai of Larkai Farms, which also manages 1,500 birds, said many businesses are already struggling to survive.
“It will collapse. Most farmers have even sold off their birds because they can’t even feed them. If there is a glut and the eggs are rotting in the farms, at the end of the day the birds are still there and you need to feed them. “Where are you going to get the money to feed them? This is a big challenge we are facing as an industry. I can count about 10-15 farms that have shut down,” he remarked.
Although President John Dramani Mahama has instructed schools to source local rice, maize, chicken, and eggs, the Association maintains that it is awaiting clarity on the final implementation modalities.
It is urging stronger government intervention to safeguard local poultry enterprises. “We are following up to understand from the Buffer Stock how, under the modalities, they intend to off-take from our members. For instance, if I am based in the Central Region, will secondary schools within that region be required to purchase directly from us?” Ali Mohammed, CEO of the Association, queried.
Source: Daniel Sackitey
