Broiler prices fall by Tk40, to fall further within days

Broiler chickens, which were sold at Tk275-280 per kg two days ago, sold for Tk240 on Saturday in different markets, including those in Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Mogbazar, Agargaon, and Shewrapara of Mirpur.  

However, despite this price reduction, the number of buyers has not increased, say the sellers.

Consumers say that many have dropped broiler chicken from the menu thanks to spiraling prices of the commodity. If the price per kg falls below Tk200, they will be interested in buying.

According to the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, the prices of chickens will reduce further within a few days.

As per the promise by four giant poultry companies to cut the prices at a meeting with the Directorate on Thursday, the poultry items were selling at Tk210 at the wholesale level while at Tk190-195 per kg at the producer level on Saturday, it added.

Besides, prices of native chicken fell to Tk650 from Tk680, Sonali chicken to Tk350 from Tk370 per kg, and layer chicken to Tk320 per kg.

Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection director Monjur Mohammad Shahriar told The Business Standard Chicken were selling at Tk250 per kg at some markets on Saturday. 

The prices of chicken, however, will come down between Tk220 and Tk230 per kg within two or three days.

The four giants – Kazi Farms, Aftab Multipurpose Farms, CP Bangladesh, and Paragon Poultry and Hatchery – sold chicken at Tk190 to Tk195 per kg at the farms-level as per their promise.

Shariful Islam, a government employee, who came to Agargaon Taltola bazaar, told The Business Standard that the price of all types of chicken, including broiler chicken, is high in the market. Even though the price has gone down a bit, the new price is beyond affordability.

Abdul Mannan, a salesperson at Agargaon Taltola market, said, "The prices of broiler chickens decreased by Tk40 per kg. We sold chicken at Tk240 per kg today. But the number of buyers will not increase if the price is not reduced to below Tk200. Earlier we used to sell 200 pieces of chicken daily which is now down to 50/60 pieces daily due to higher prices."

"In previous Ramadans, I bought 5/6 chickens together for a week but today I bought only 2 chickens. Salaries have not increased but costs have more than doubled. It is difficult to reconcile monthly income and expenses."

On the other hand, prices of eggs have increased to Tk140 from Tk130 per dozen at kitchen markets and Tk150 at the retail level. However, traders said egg prices will come down within one or two days.

Shahadat Hossian, an egg seller at Karwan bazar, told TBS that the price of eggs is high this week. A dozen eggs now cost Tk140. "Earlier I used to sell 4,000 eggs daily; currently I am selling 1,500."

While the price of beef remained unchanged, the price of mutton decreased slightly. Beef is being sold at Tk750 per kg, and mutton at Tk900 to Tk1,050 per kg which was Tk950 to Tk1100 per kg last week.

Consumer Rights Directorate's drives at 21 kitchen markets

Seven teams of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection have conducted drives at 21 kitchen markets across the capital city, including Azimpur, Newmarket, Kaptan Bazar, Mirpur, Rampura, Banani, and Karwan Bazar to prevent unscrupulous traders' attempt to rise essential commodities during Ramadan.  

During the drive, a team led by director Monjur Mohammad Shahriar of the National Consumer Rights Directorate fined a shop owner Tk1,000 for selling eggplants at Tk70 per kg at the New Market bazaar. Besides, several traders were fined for selling broiler chickens at high prices.

He told TBS that if anyone manipulates the price, then strict action will be taken against them.

Monjur Mohammad Shahriar said, "We have instructed each shop to keep a list of the purchase price and sale price. Strict action will be taken against those who do not comply."

He also said that bazaar monitoring activities are going on all over the country to keep the price of commodities at an affordable rate during Ramadan. Seven teams of the Consumer Directorate and four teams of the Ministry of Commerce are working in the capital city. 

"Apart from Dhaka, we have 56 teams working across the country."