Rising Feed Costs Push Poultry Farmers Toward Homemade Alternatives

April 10, (THEWILL) — Nigerian poultry farmers are increasingly abandoning commercial feed suppliers in favour of homemade blends as they grapple with soaring production costs, a shift that is helping many stay afloat in a challenging operating environment.

Although prices of maize and soybeans, key ingredients in poultry feed, have dropped by 62.5 percent, feed millers have reduced prices by only about 10 percent. With feed accounting for roughly 70 percent of total production costs, farmers say the limited price relief has forced them to seek cheaper alternatives.

Sunday Ezeobiora, the president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, said the persistent rise in feed prices has driven farmers to innovate. According to him, many producers now formulate their own feed to cut costs and protect already thin margins. He noted that homemade blends can be at least five percent cheaper than commercial options, offering some relief to struggling farmers.

This shift, he added, has helped stabilise the prices of eggs and poultry meat despite broader economic pressures.

However, feed millers argue that their inability to significantly lower prices stems from high operating costs. Energy alone accounts for about 40 percent of production expenses, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, with diesel prices surging more than 70 percent amid global tensions.

Industry experts caution that self-formulation may not always be cost-effective. Taiwo Adeoye, a former president of the Animal Science Association of Nigeria, warned that many farmers lack the technical expertise required for efficient feed formulation.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s livestock sector recorded marginal growth of 0.08 percent in 2025, recovering slightly from a 2.14 percent contraction in 2024.

Ogochukwu Onwaeze, THEWILL

Ogochukwu Onwaeze is a writer specializing in business and economic journalism. At THEWILL News Media, she translates market trends, financial developments, and policy shifts into clear and engaging stories.