Egg prices dropped to Tk 11.35-11.50 per piece, below the government-fixed rate of Tk 12 per piece, for the first time in nine months.
Traders attributed the price drop to the decline in the demand for eggs during winter when vegetable prices typically decrease.
They said that the price of eggs had gradually increased to Tk 13.50 per piece in March when the market for farm chickens and eggs became volatile.
Market insiders explained that the demand for eggs increases during monsoon when vegetable prices are high. However, during the winter season, when vegetable prices decrease, the demand for eggs decreases and prices fall accordingly.
Farm eggs are selling for Tk 135 per dozen (Tk 11.33 each) at retail in various kitchen markets of the capital, down from Tk 140-145 per dozen three days ago.
However, many traders are selling them for Tk 11.50-11.60 each, depending on size and quality.
A week ago, the price of eggs in the wholesale market was Tk 11.20-11.50. However, about two days ago, prices fell to Tk 8.80-8.60.
On Sunday, farm eggs were selling for Tk 9.10-9.20 each in wholesale markets in the capital, including Tejgaon.
Manjur Hossain, the proprietor of the wholesale egg business Munshiganj Egg Trading in Tejgaon, said that the price of eggs has decreased even though imported eggs have yet to hit Dhaka markets. He explained that this is a normal trend in the market, as egg prices typically decrease in the winter.
“The price of eggs will remain low until next Ramadan. There may be some small fluctuations of Tk 0.20-0.30, but there is very little risk of a large increase in the price of eggs during this period,” he added.
