The prices of egg and potato have decreased at wholesale level for last two days after imported eggs and potatoes hit the domestic market. However, the retail prices of these two essentials have not come down so far as retailers are making extra profits.
Besides, egg and potato are not being sold at government-fixed prices even after the country has increased its imports.
According to the market data, the prices of egg have dropped by Tk 1 per egg within two or three days at wholesale level.
Egg was being sold at Tk 10.40-10.60 per egg on Monday in the wholesale market of the capital. It was Tk 11.40-11.60 per egg on Friday last.
In the retail market of the capital, including Segunbagicha, egg was being sold at Tk 12.10-12.50 per egg on Monday.
Md. Alam, an egg retailer at Segunbagicha said, “I bought each egg from the wholesale market last Thursday at 11.50. On Sunday, the price of eggs dropped slightly in the wholesale market and I was able to buy at Tk 11 per egg. Today (Monday) its price dropped further but I couldn't buy eggs today.”
“I am selling egg at the previous price of Tk 12.10-12.50. If price drops a little more in the wholesale market, I will sell it at a lower price in the retail market. Now we make some extra profits as the prices are falling in the wholesale market.”
One and a half months ago, the government fixed the maximum retail price of eggs at Tk 12 per piece. However, the government-fixed price has not been implemented yet.
To control the egg market, the Ministry of Commerce allowed import of 15 crore eggs in several phases from September 18. Among them, 61,950 pieces of eggs were imported from India in the first phase through Benapole of Jashore on Sunday last.
In the capital's Tejgaon wholesale market, brown eggs were being sold at Tk 1050 to Tk 1060 per 100 pieces, which was Tk 1140 to 1160 last week.
In Rampura, Hajipara and Malibagh areas, farm chicken eggs were being sold at the previous price of Tk 50 per hali. It was also seen selling at Tk 52 per hali at some shops.
Potato price
The government has allowed import of 162,000 tonnes of potato and 27,000 tonnes of them has already arrived in the country.
Imported potatoes are being sold in the country's market for four days and the price has come down a little due to import, but still are not available at the government-fixed price. Consumers have to buy potatoes at a higher price in the retail market.
New potatoes are available in the market alongside old ones, though they are beyond the reach of common buyers.
The government fixed the price of potato at Tk 35 to 36 per kg. But buyers still have to buy potatoes from the retail market at the rate of Tk 55-60 per kg. In most cases, buyers have to buy potatoes at Tk 60 per kg and new potato was being sold at Tk 160 per kg in retail.
Traders said the price of potatoes in the country has started to decrease after the arrival of imported potatoes in the market. But they said that the price has not fallen as expected. The price of potato in the market has decreased by Tk 10 per kg only. It could not come close to the price set by the government.
