Monrovia — Eggs, a major source of protein for the Liberian population, have become scarce and expensive. A single egg now sells for the same price as a cup of rice, the nation’s staple food. For many families, buying an egg is not worth it when they can purchase a cup of rice for the same amount. Ma Mary, an elderly woman who sells cooked food to make ends meet, vowed never to buy eggs until the price drops. “I cannot buy a single egg for L$50 when that money can buy a cup of rice for my children. I will wait for the egg price to reduce, but for now I would rather buy rice than waste my money on eggs,” she said.
The scarcity is evident across the market, with eggs selling for L$50 to L$60 each. At the Rally Time Market, Fawaz and Sons displayed some crates of eggs. The shopkeeper, who identified himself only as Reuben, blamed the rise on the war in Ukraine. “Many of the eggs used to come from Ukraine, and each egg cost L$30. Since the war started, imports stopped, driving the price up. We used to buy a crate for US$3.50; now it costs US$6.50, and we sell it for US$7, about L$1,000,” he explained. Reuben suggested that the government reduce tariffs on eggs and other goods during this crisis. “If you have to pay over US$16,000 to clear one container from the Free Port of Monrovia, how can people sell goods when taxes are so high? Reducing taxes would at least lower egg prices,” he added.
Fouani Brothers, a Lebanese business that imports eggs into Liberia, also cited the global market as a factor. The importers told FrontPageAfrica that they now sell a carton of eggs for US$68, up from US$42 before the scarcity. The Ministry of Commerce’s Communication Director, Jacob Parley, could not comment because the ministry’s Statistics Officer was unavailable to provide information on the price increase.
The high prices have made selling eggs a risky venture. Kpanah Hena, who sells eggs and other provisions, said demand has dropped dramatically. “I used to sell three crates daily when an egg cost L$30. Now, with the price at L$50, I barely sell a crate,” she reported. “When I started, I bought a half‑carton of six crates for US$25–28 and sold each egg for L$25–30. Now a half‑carton costs almost US$43, and I have to buy a crate for L$1,000, selling each egg for L$50. Sales are slow—I can sell one crate in three days, whereas before I sold three crates a day.” Kpanah appealed for government support of large‑scale agriculture for poultry farmers to boost local supply. She noted that importers often claim Liberia does not produce its own eggs and relies on imports from Europe, even though cartons still bear “Ukraine” labels. “A country without agriculture that relies on imported food cannot feed itself. Many Liberians now seek white‑collar jobs, and those studying agriculture lack land because land ownership is a problem,” she said.
Many stores in the Rally Time Market had run out of eggs, FrontPageAfrica observed. The owner of Rally Time Business Center, who wished to remain anonymous, said the egg carton is too expensive and he risks losing business as customers stop buying eggs due to the high price.
Comments are closed for this story.