Grant permission to import eggs for Bakery Owners’: ACBOA

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association (ACBOA) yesterday sought a temporary permit from the Trade Ministry to import eggs for their bakery products.

ACBOA President N.K Jayawardena told the Daily Mirror that their members were facing issues after the wholesale price of an egg shot up to Rs.22.

Several ACBOA members yesterday discussed the issue with Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena who had promised to take up the matter at the next Cabinet meeting.

“This is the first time in history that egg prices have exceeded Rs.20. 75 per cent of eggs production are bought by bakeries and hotels in the country,' Mr. Jayawardena said.

Mr Jayawardena said the All Ceylon Egg Producers' Association yesterday decided to reduce the price of an egg by Rs. 2 from Monday following a meeting between officials of the Egg Producers Association and the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Carlton House, Tangalle.

"This is a mafia. Reducing Rs.2 is not acceptable. While claiming that there is no shortage in eggs in the country, increasing the wholesale price of eggs is a mafia," he said.

"An egg can be sold at a maximum retail price of Rs.15. That is why we requested the Trade Minister to grant a temporary permit to import eggs and said their association can sell an egg less than Rs.15 if the Government permitted them to import, Mr Jayawardena added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)