Egg and broiler chicken markets have been volatile for a few days now. In the span of a week, the price of eggs at the retail and wholesale level has increased by Tk 10. And the price of broiler chicken has increased from Tk 40 to Tk 60. Now eggs are being sold at 50 taka per dozen, 150 taka per dozen. Broiler chickens are sold at the rate of Tk 200 to Tk 220 per kg depending on the market.
This image was found in several markets of the capital on Monday. Traders and farmers are blaming the increase in production cost due to the increase in the price of fuel oil, gas and other commodities as well as the abnormal increase in the price of baby and feed as the reason for such price increase in a short period of time. On the other hand, an organization of marginal farmers held a press conference blaming the syndicate of corporate companies for the price increase.
Those who bought broiler chickens or eggs even a week before the market were shocked when they came to the market on Monday. The sudden price hike created volatility in the market. Buyers and sellers are arguing about prices in shops. Palash Ahmed said in Segunbagicha market that he bought broiler chicken for 155 taka last week. Now it says 210 taka. The price of eggs is asking 50 taka, which I bought for 40 taka.
How is that possible? If so, how will the poor people run the family? Yakub Ali, an egg seller there, said that the price of eggs and chickens suddenly increased. The price is increasing every day. One way today, another tomorrow. Every day I have to buy extra by 5 taka per dozen. Chicken is growing at 10 taka per kg. I don`t know where this price will go. On the other hand, you have to pay a few taka more if you buy eggs from the neighborhood grocer. In some places, eggs were seen to be sold at 52 taka. The white eggs of farm chickens are selling at 48 taka per egg. And the price of duck eggs is being sold at 80 to 85 taka in different markets.
On the other hand, broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 200 to Tk 220 per kg depending on the market. And the price of golden chicken is up to Tk 340-350 per kg. The price of domestic chicken is Tk 500-560 per kg. Kashem Sikder, a seller of SM Enterprises in Karwan Bazar, said that the price of broiler chicken has increased and the price of all other types of chicken has increased by Tk 30-50. However, he said that there is no shortage of chicken in the market.
He said that the price of raw materials is sometimes manipulated. Demand for broilers increases during winter, supply decreases slightly. But it is normal like any other time. However, it is not known why this happened suddenly.
In this regard, the president of the farmers` organization Poultry Association. Suman Howlader said that the price of chicken and eggs has increased in the farm itself. Which has an impact on the market. The reason for this price increase is that the price of baby has increased abnormally in the market. Last January 5, each piece of chicken was Tk 9-10. Now it is 56 taka. He said, this is the situation when the farmers are taking children during fasting and Eid. These companies have also doubled the price of feed last year.
That`s why now the prices of eggs and chickens are increasing abnormally in the market. According to this farmer, the corporate companies are producing almost everything including chicks, food (feed), medicine and other necessities in the poultry sector. Also they are producing eggs and chickens. Besides, most of the companies are involved in contract farming with farmers. Because of that, the common farmers of the country cannot survive with them. Companies are increasing prices by syndicating the market now.
Bangladesh Poultry Association also held a press conference on Monday demanding the closure of chicken meat and egg production and contract farming by corporate companies raising these allegations. In the press conference of Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) at the Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity, it was said that the marginal farmers of the country have closed their farms for a long time without getting the price of chicken and eggs. One lakh 60 thousand farms, now closed down to 60 thousand.
Still, not all farms have chickens. As a result, marginal farmers now have no control over chickens and eggs. The organization says that the cost of producing an egg of marginal farmers is 11.11 paise, the cost of producing 1 kg of broiler chicken is 148 taka, and the cost of 1 kg of golden chicken is 262 taka. He said that the marginal farmers are getting a fair price in the current price. But now common farmers don`t have chickens. Suman Howladar also claimed that this profit is going to the house of the corporate company.
JH
