Egg prices soaring again

After remaining stable for around three months, the prices of all kinds of eggs, the key protein source for commoners, have shown an upward trend again.

The price of eggs including firm and duck ones increased up to Tk 15 per dozen in the last week at several kitchen markets, including Mohammadpur Krishi Market and Segunbagichan Market, in the capital.

Traders said the demand for eggs increases usually during winter. At the same time, its supply also decreases due to declined production. For this reason, egg prices increase slightly during the winter. The same thing happened this year also. But there is nothing to worry about, egg prices will decrease after winter.

Firm chicken egg including brown and white was sold for Tk 120-135 per dozen on Thursday which was Tk 114-120 a week ago.

According to traders, the price of eggs reached a record high of Tk 160 per dozen three months ago in September last. A decline in production, diesel price hike, and trading syndication were the key reasons behind the sudden 39 per cent hike in just a week.

Local chicken and duck eggs were sold at Tk 195 and Tk 216 per dozen respectively on Thursday. It was at Tk 180 and Tk 195 per dozen one week ago.

However, the price of firm chicken remained stable at the previous price of Tk 150-160 per kg during the week.

Meanwhile, the prices of milk powder came down by Tk 30-50 per kg in the last week. On Thursday, milk powder was sold at Tk 820-950 per kg depending on the brands including Nido, Redcow, and Dano. It was Tk 880-980 per kg one week ago.

Besides, the price of packaged flour decreased by Tk 2 per kg this week, after the decline of loose flour price last week. Packaged flour sold at Tk 68-78 per kg on Thursday which was Tk 70-80 per kg one week ago. Loose flour sold at Tk 58-72 per kg on Thursday; it was Tk 62-75 per kg two weeks ago.

The price of maximum daily essentials including rice, edible oil, sugar, and lentil remained at the previous high during the time.

The prices of coarse variety rices, including BR29, BR28, Paizem, and Sorna, were the same as last week on Thursday, selling for Tk 52-60 per kg while fine variety rices including Nazirshiel and Miniket were sold at Tk 70-82 per kg, same as last week.

The price of edible oil is yet to reduce to the government-fixed rate. Loose soybean oil and bottled soybean oil were respectively sold at Tk 180-190 per litre and Tk 180-190 per litre. The prices were the same as a week ago. Besides, palm oil sold at Tk 45-150 per liter on Thursday.

Three weeks ago, the government fixed the maximum retail price of a one-litre bottle of soybean oil at Tk 187 and loose soybean oil at Tk 167 per litre. Besides, the price of per litre palm oil was fixed at Tk 117.

Sugar sold at Tk 110 per kg in the retail market on Thursday, down from Tk 115 per kg one week ago. Lentils sold at Tk 105-145 per kg which was the same in the previous week.

Besides, the price of vegetables including potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots also remained the same compared to the previous week in the kitchen markets of the capital. Potatoes sold at Tk 20--22 per kg, tomatoes sold at Tk 50-60 per kg, onions sold at Tk 30-35 per kg, and chili at Tk 100-120 per kg.