Millions of entrepreneurs from poultry and dairy sector suffering huge losses due to lack of supply of animal feed amid the on-going curfew imposed to contain violence in the country.
They said, “Poultry owners are unable to accommodate their unsold one day old baby chicks due to their low demand in the markets of different districts in the country including Dhaka. Many of them are destroying these chicks by burying them into the ground. Eggs are being sold at a loss price in local markets amid supply disruptions in the last four days.”
The poultry owners also claim that they are losing millions of taka every day.
Khandokar Md Mohsin, secretary general of Bangladesh Poultry Industry Association said, “Poultry sector are in a big trouble. We cannot sell eggs and matured chicken due to low demand. Many of us are selling at below production cost and it is affecting the retailers.”
“4.2 crore eggs are being produced in the country every day. However, less than 50 per cent of them are being sold due to the supply crunch, causing the price hike of eggs at the retail market of different districts,” he added.
Khandokar Md Mohsin further added, “The crisis of poultry feed is increasing every day because of transport shortage, high fare and the closure of banks around the country.”
According to kitchen market data, eggs are sold at Tk 170-180 per dozen on Tuesday, it was at Tk 150 per dozen 5 days ago before the quota reform movement.
Sumsul Arefin Khaled, president of Bangladesh Poultry Industry Central Council (BPICC) said, “Poultry products such as eggs, chicken and milk are perishable items. Since there are no preservation systems for these products, we are forced to sell them every day at loss price.”
Dr Reajul Haque, director general of Department of Livestock (DLS) said, “We are trying to communicate to our field officers in districts around the country and directing them to solve these problems of farmers.”
“Besides this, we have given direction to ensure adequate supply of eggs, chicken and milk by coordinating with the local government,” he added.
