The Tejgaon Egg Traders Association announced the resumption of egg sales in the city on Tuesday after a two-day halt in protest against the government's mobile courts.
Traders have agreed to restore normal supply levels following assurances from the government regarding a more flexible approach to price regulations.
This decision came after a meeting organised by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), which included representatives from all levels of the egg supply chain, including producers and wholesalers.
This resulting supply shortage has caused prices to rise in markets such as Karwan Bazar and Mohammadpur Agricultural Market, with eggs being sold for Tk 180 – Tk 190 per dozen. On Monday, farm brown eggs were sold at Tk 170 – Tk 180 per dozen due to the supply crunch.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), on August 8, the price of eggs was Tk 150 – Tk 162 per dozen.
During the meeting, discussions included reducing the burden on middlemen to enable consumers to purchase eggs at more affordable prices.
Factors contributing to the supply shortage include rising prices of consumer goods, increased demand for eggs, and reduced production due to recent floods in the southeastern region.
In response, the government has authorized the import of 4.5 million eggs, although these have not yet arrived.
Traders have requested that they do not face harassment under government market monitoring, emphasizing that purchasing eggs at higher prices during production stages prevents them from lowering retail prices.
In light of the situation, the DNCRP has stated it will not immediately enforce fixed pricing for eggs.
Producers indicated that the government aims to streamline the supply process by reducing reliance on middlemen, seeking cooperation from major manufacturing companies.
Amanat Ullah, leader of the Tejgaon Egg Wholesalers Association, said, "We have assured the government that we will normalize egg supply starting tonight. Trucks will begin entering soon."
He added that, given the current circumstances, the DNCRP will refrain from pressuring them to implement the government-fixed price for now.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, the maximum prices for eggs were set at Tk 10.6 per piece at the producer stage, Tk 11.11 at wholesale, and Tk 11.87 at the retail level.
However, eggs are being sold at Tk 13 at the production stage, Tk 14.5 at wholesale, and Tk 15.5 – Tk 16 at the retail level on Tuesday.
Marginal farmers’ demands
Marginal farmers said that the price set by the government for eggs is higher than their production cost. As a result, it is not always possible to sell at the fixed price.
If the government harasses the farmers through mobile courts, then they will have no option but to close down their farms. This will reduce egg production in the country and the large corporate farms will capture the market. This will further strengthen the syndicate system.
At the same time, if the production cost of eggs is not reduced, marginal farmers will lose their capital and face a crisis. As a result, production will decrease every year.
Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA) Secretary General Khondkar Mohammad Mohsin stated that while there is an increased demand for poultry products, the supply has decreased.
This is primarily due to the damages incurred by poultry farms as a result of the extreme heat, load shedding, and floods. Furthermore, the escalating costs of poultry feed, other materials, and chicks have led to increased production costs for farmers.
Consequently, small-scale farmers are unable to sell eggs at the government-fixed price. However, various government agencies are conducting raids and harassing these farmers, forcing them to sell eggs at a loss.
He further mentioned that many farmers have informed him that if this situation continues, they will gradually cease production. Hence, it is imperative to stop this harassment and focus on strategies to increase production.
