Egg prices remain high despite imports
In November last year, the government approved the import of 50 lakhs eggs from India, which were expected to arrive by 10 September of this year. However, only 292,000 eggs have arrived so far
Highlights:
- Poultry association threatens to halt local production if imports continue
- Rising feed cost is a major factor in high egg prices
- The association accuses syndicates of feed price manipulation
- Retail prices remain steady at Tk160-165 per dozen
The government's initiative to import eggs to control local market prices has not yet produced the desired effect.
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Despite the arrival of eggs from India, the price remains unchanged, with a dozen eggs currently selling for Tk160-165 in retail markets.
So far, only 292,000 of the 50 lakh eggs approved for import from India last November have arrived, although the entire lot was expected by 10 September.
Recent visits to Dhaka's kitchen markets in Moghbazar and Hatirpool showed that a dozen eggs are being sold for Tk160, while four eggs are priced at Tk55. Vendors confirmed that prices have remained stable over the past month.
Mohammad Liton, an egg vendor at Karwan Bazar, said, "The small quantity of eggs imported from India has not affected the market. For the past month, a dozen eggs have been selling for Tk155-160 in retail."
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has criticised the government's decision to import eggs and called for an investigation into why national egg and poultry production costs are so high.
They have demanded a halt to imports and warned of severe protests if the government does not comply.
The BPA also claimed that Bangladesh's daily demand for eggs is 4 crore, while local production is currently 4.5 crore eggs, arguing that imports could harm local farmers and lead to future shortages.
On 11 September, the BPA warned that it would halt egg and poultry production if imports were not stopped.
The association is particularly concerned about the rising cost of animal feed, which they believe is inflating production costs and impacting the price of eggs.
They argue that reducing feed prices would lower production costs and stabilise the market, without the need for imports.
The association's President Sumon Hawlader said, "The livestock and feed syndicate mafia are exacerbating the crisis by allowing imports. On 22 September, we have a meeting with small-scale farmers, and we plan to file a case against the feed suppliers for charging excessively high prices.
"The cost of feed in our country is double that of the international market. It costs Tk10.29 to produce an egg here, while in India, it costs only Tk5. We need to identify why production costs are higher here and take steps to reduce them."
He added, "The cost of producing one kilogram of broiler chicken is Tk155-170. It is wrong to make a decision to import eggs without investigating why the production cost of eggs and poultry in Bangladesh is so high and taking necessary measures."
Sumon also pointed out that the cost of feed for egg-laying hens is Tk60 per kilogram, and for broiler chickens, it is Tk72 per kilogram, calling these prices unreasonable.
"There are currently 60,000 to 65,000 farms in the country. If the price of poultry feed remains so high, many farms will be forced to close down. The government must stop egg imports within the next 5 days and break up the feed syndicate. Otherwise, we, the marginal farmers who supply 80% of the market's egg demand, will stop producing eggs and poultry. We will call for a strong protest."
He also alleged that corrupt officials within the livestock sector, along with corporate companies and their agents, have contributed to the rising cost of poultry feed, further driving up production costs.
Meanwhile, market observations show that broiler chicken is currently being sold for Tk175 per kilogram, a price unchanged from the previous week.
