EABW REPORTER

KIGALI, RWANDA- Rwandans who enjoy eggs are digging deeper in their pockets as prices of eggs in Kigali increase to a record high on the back of shortage in supply from Uganda.

By press time, the prices had increased by 50%, from the previous days. An egg which used to cost Rwf60 in most markets in the city is now at Rwf90.

Meaning a tray of eggs (30 eggs) which used to cost US$3 (Rwf1800) had shot to almost $4.6 (Rwf2700).

The traders warn that should the situation continue, the prices are bound to hit the roofs. Rwanda partly depends on eggs from Uganda to feed the over 10 million, however retailers in most markets in Kigali say the whole of last week they did not receive eggs.

"Our suppliers from Uganda have stopped delivering eggs," Emily Munyana, who owns a shop in Kimirinko said. She said she has not received any communication from the suppliers. At Kimironko market, most stalls which retail eggs were empty.

The situation is exacerbated by the country not having enough local supply of eggs due to what ministry of agriculture officials called lack of capacity and infrastructure.

To try to address the shortage, government is trying to address the shortages of both eggs and chicken. Rwanda has partnered with South Korea to construct a modern hatchery in Rubirizi, Kigali .

"The national hatchery is still very small but demand is also rising but the infrastructure will bridge the national supply deficit of both broilers and layers chicks," Dr Theogene Rutagwenda, the Director General of Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority is reported saying.

The hatchery will have the capacity to hatch 100,000 eggs per month. Reports indicate the infrastructure and equipment will cost $3m.

"The main challenge faced by the industry is capacity and infrastructure, and I'm optimistic that with the new and modern hatchery will stop imports," tells the press.

Government imports 2 million eggs per year, to produce between 6,000 and 1,000 chicks reared for eggs and chicken.

However, it is reported that the current national demand of chicks is 40,000 per month. There is a potential for investing in this sector.