Poultry syndicate made Tk700cr in 2 weeks: BPA

The Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has alleged that a syndicate has made away with around Tk 700 crore by destabilising the egg and chicken market over the past two weeks.

Claiming 10-12 companies are dominating the country’s poultry sector, BPA has urged the government to break up the syndicate that created instability in the sector and the market.

Addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) in Dhaka on Saturday, BPA President Sumon Hawlader said, “These companies meet 50 per cent of the country’s poultry demand and fix the prices for the other 50 per cent as they see fit.

“Poultry farmers are forced to follow the rates of chicken, eggs and other products fixed by the syndicate.”

He said feed quality has also dropped because the companies have been allowed to import meatborn, which is used to produce poultry feed, without any testing. Some corrupt officials at the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry are involved in this scheme, he claimed.

Sumon also said that the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) is also negligent. “We need to export instead of import. Proper policy formulation, training and trade licence under easy conditions are needed for that.”

He added that they have already submitted a complaint in this regard to the ministry and DLS.

Speaking at the media briefing, BPA General Sectary Ilias Khandaker said the hatchling production cost is Tk 25-28. “But they have been sold at Tk 40-50 sometimes and even at Tk 72 in April and at Tk 95 last year [because of the syndicate].

“As a result, 40 per cent of marginal farmers have been forced to shut down their farms after incurring losses.”

He said there is a crisis at the marginal level because the incentives from the government either do go to the farmers or get looted by the syndicate. “These farmers don’t even get loans from banks and NGOs,” he claimed.