Egg prices have fallen slightly in recent months due to improved supply, but rising feed costs remain the major challenge for poultry farmers.

Eggs are a popular source of protein in Kenya due to their relatively low price, compared to alternatives such as meat, chicken and fish.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the average price of a tray of 30 eggs fell to Sh584.3 in the last month from Sh594.7 in the same period in 2023.

The average includes retail prices for exotic and native eggs, commonly known as kienyejiwhich were collected from dozens of markets across the country.

It shows that a tray of exotic eggs sells for between 400 and 600 shillings, while native eggs sell for between 540 and 750 shillings per tray.

The supply of eggs in Kenya is very seasonal, meaning food prices fluctuate frequently. The supply of the product is also influenced by the availability of feed, where higher quality feed often results in increased yields.

Eggs are one of the fastest growing foods with a wide range of uses, including baking, ensuring their demand throughout the year.

Kenchic managing director Jim Tozer said the price changes have not impacted egg demand, even though per capita consumption remains low in Kenya, compared to other countries like l South Africa and the United States.

“Despite recent price changes, eggs remain a sought-after staple in various communities,” Tozer said.

The Kenchic boss said the cost of feed remains the main problem for farmers who bear higher costs for corn and soybean feeds.

“The egg market in Kenya in 2024 will face a dynamic landscape, with fluctuations in feed costs due to rising prices of corn and soybeans. This has created challenges for layer breeders; however, consumer demand remains resilient,” Mr. Tozer said.

Kenya is a major importer of eggs, particularly from its neighbors Uganda and Tanzania, as local supply is unable to meet the growing demand for the food product.

Lower prices of some food items such as eggs, corn flour, wheat flour and sukuma wiki helped ease food inflation, which stood at 4.3 percent in October, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).