When an egg costs more than a Sonali chick. Poultry in north in thick soup 

Currently, chicken eggs in Bogura district's kitchen markets are priced at Tk12.5, while day-old Sonali chicks are being sold for just Tk11 each in the wholesale market. This has forced hatchery owners to sell chicks at prices below production costs.

According to hatchery owners and traders, each egg needed to produce a Sonali chick costs between Tk13 and Tk15, and the total cost of raising a chick from an egg is approximately Tk20. However, chicks are now being sold for Tk10 to Tk12, resulting in significant losses.

Md Mizanur Rahman, a supervisor at Shefali Poultry in Gaibandha district, explained, "The business has suffered due to the country's political situation and floods. While producing a chick costs about Tk20, we are selling them for as low as Tk10." 

Shefali Poultry produces 50,000 chicks each week, but Mizanur Rahman noted that the current selling price is insufficient to cover even the cost of the eggs.

Joypurhat district is a major centre for Sonali chicken production. About 50% of its population works in the poultry industry, focusing on Sonali chicks and feed. The rapid growth of this industry has led to many new poultry farms and hatcheries.

The poultry industry took shape in 1973 as a government farm on 11 acres in Jamalganj, Akkelpur upazila, Joypurhat. This marked the start of the Sonali breed development.

Today, the District Livestock Office reports around 11,000 poultry farms and 80 hatcheries in the district. The annual demand for chicks is 4.5 crore, but production reaches 8.5 crore, resulting in a surplus of 4 crore chicks. These extra chicks are distributed nationwide, but hatchery owners are currently facing challenges with managing the surplus.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, the poultry industry in Joypurhat provides quality animal protein, creates jobs, and supports poverty alleviation, women's empowerment, and socioeconomic development.

Chicks from Jamalganj, Joypurhat, are primarily sold at Chawk Sutrapur, the poultry market in Bogura. Traders report that Sonali chicks were priced at Tk16 each on 21 August, Tk13 on 22 August, Tk11 on 24 August, and Tk13 on 25 August. Typically, a Sonali chick sells for over Tk25.

Although prices fluctuated, the price of each chick increased to Tk14 on 26 August. Hybrid Sonali chicks usually sell for more than Tk30, but in Bogura, they are priced below Tk20. If this trend continues, traders and hatchery owners may face substantial losses.

Joypurhat's SSB Poultry Complex and Hatchery produces over 1 lakh Sonali chicks each week. Manager Anwar Hossain Babu said they are currently selling chicks for Tk11-12 each. 

He explained, "We have no choice but to continue, as the eggs are also produced by us. We can't stop production despite the losses because many employees rely on this work. We need to keep the farm running to ensure our survival."

The downturn in the chick market is also hitting wholesale traders hard. Shakil Ahmed, owner of Bogura Poultry and Hatchery, said, "We sell at least 70,000 chicks daily. Due to the political situation, chick prices have fallen, causing a loss of Tk9 lakh on 5 August alone. The recent floods in eastern Bangladesh have worsened the situation."

Shakil Ahmed also noted, "Bogura is the largest commercial hub for Sonali chicks from Joypurhat, with daily transactions between Tk1 and 1.5 crore. Our high-quality chicks are distributed across the country." 

He added, "We need a stable business environment, as many entrepreneurs are struggling with losses."

Taufiqul Islam, a young entrepreneur in Bogura's chick-selling business, warned, "If the situation continues, farmers, hatcheries, and entrepreneurs will all face severe losses."

He pointed out, "Sudden losses have already bankrupted many entrepreneurs, and large businesses are defaulting on loans. Many hatchery owners in Bogura have had to shut down their operations due to ongoing losses. If chick prices stabilise, those still in business might survive."