The price of eggs, the most affordable source of protein, especially for low-income households, have jumped by Tk25-Tk30 per dozen over the past two weeks, raising serious concerns about nutrition for a large segment of the population.
A visit to different markets in the capital found that while farm eggs were selling at Tk120-Tk130 per dozen two weeks ago, the price has now climbed to Tk145-Tk155.
Wholesalers said egg prices have risen as demand increases during the monsoon, while production remains lower.
Local farmers complained that soaring electricity bills, high mortality rates of chickens due to extreme heat, and rising feed costs have pushed up production expenses, destabilising the egg market.
Alongside these challenges, the Bangladesh Poultry Association has also blamed corporate companies for the sudden price hike.
“Corporates raise prices at will, despite having received Tk1,524 crore in tax exemptions from the government. In contrast, small farmers, who supply nearly 80% of the country’s eggs, receive no incentives,” the association’s president, Md Suman Hawlader, told TIMES of Bangladesh.
“Stability in the egg market is crucial. We have repeatedly urged the government to break the syndicate, but no action has been taken,” he added.
Talking to consumers at various markets and neighbourhood shops in the capital revealed that they are now paying Tk2-Tk2.5 more per egg.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the country’s daily demand for eggs stands at 45-50 million pieces, while daily production slightly exceeds 45 million pieces.
Based on this calculation, the additional Tk2.5 per egg means consumers are collectively paying around Tk12.5 crore extra every day. Over the past two weeks, that amounts to nearly Tk200 crore drained from consumers’ pockets.
Consumers allege that they are bearing the brunt of weak market monitoring and mismanagement by the authorities, as well as manipulations by syndicates.
A trader at Mohammadpur Krishi Market said, “Egg prices are high, but just a week ago we were selling at Tk125 a dozen. Now, prices at the Tejgaon wholesale market are rising every day. How can we sell at a lower rate?”
Retailers in Dhaka echoed the same concern, saying that without a price drop at the wholesale level, it is impossible to keep retail prices under control.
Many also claimed that in some neighbourhoods, prices are even higher, with eggs being sold at Tk150-Tk155 per dozen.
A wholesale egg trader at Old Dhaka’s Kaptan Bazar said that with fish and meat prices higher during the monsoon, consumers are turning more to eggs. However, supply has not increased in line with demand, leading to market instability.
A wholesaler in Tejgaon told TIMES of Bangladesh that lower production during the monsoon has pushed up fish prices, prompting more people to consume eggs, which in turn is driving prices higher.
In Chattogram, egg prices have also recorded a sharp rise over the past month. Prices went up by Tk20 per dozen, with white eggs now selling at Tk135 and red eggs at Tk140 per dozen.