Egg consumption rises, hits 121.18 per capita

Bangladesh has witnessed an increasing trend of egg consumption in the last few years, evident by the fact that per capita consumption of this kitchen staple rose from 92.75 in Fiscal Year 2016-17 to 121.18 in the last FY.

Dr Md Shawkat Ali, a professor at the Department of Poultry Science of Bangladesh Agricultural University, made the disclosure on Friday while presenting a keynote at an event held to mark the World Egg Day 2021.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, Bangladesh branch of the World Poultry Science Association, and Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) jointly organised the programme.

According to the keynote, Bangladesh’s per capita egg consumption was 95.27 in FY2017-18, 103.89 in FY2018-19 and 104.23 in FY 2019-20.

Bangladesh – back in 2019 – overtook India and Pakistan in per capita egg production. That year, Bangladesh ranked ninth globally with per capita egg production of 106, while Pakistan ranked 11th with 88 and India 12th with 77.

The keynote further mentions that China had ranked top in per capita egg production with 473, while Mexico and Indonesia ranked second and third with 436 and 390 respectively.

Addressing the event as chief guest, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said the government is working to keep the price of eggs under purchasing power of the people.

He continued, “People should not be confused about eating eggs, as it is necessary for meeting a person’s nutritional needs. A joint effort will be launched through public and private initiatives to bring down egg prices.

“The government is also working to boost egg production and support new entrepreneurs in this sector so that they can become self-reliant.

Bangladesh currently has an annual egg market of Tk12,467 crore, BPICC’s Vice President Shamsul Arefin Khaled said at his welcome speech.