Sale of eggs, milk, meat at affordable prices begins

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL) on Sunday launched truck sale of eggs, milk, and meat at rational prices for the Ramadan, aiming to ensure consumers' easy access to essential animal proteins during the holy month.

The initiative aims to stabilise prices and enhance supply to meet the increased demand for beef, mutton, chicken, milk, fish and eggs.

It was announced during the inauguration of the programme by MoFL Minster Abdur Rahman, held at the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) conference room in the city.

As part of the programme, liquid milk will be sold at Tk80 a liter, beef Tk600 a kg, mutton Tk 900 a kg, dressed broiler chicken at Tk250 a kg, and eggs at Tk110 a dozen, which are much cheaper than in the mainstream market that has been witnessing a skyrocketing price trend for the last few months.

During the event, it was disclosed that each vehicle would carry 200 liters of milk, 4,000 eggs, 100 kgs of beef, and 10 kgs of mutton.

Additionally, fish will also be available at eight locations in the capital, with 300 kg per vehicle, said the minister.

The open market sale will operate at 30 locations in Dhaka, including five permanent markets, from the 1st to the 28th of Ramadan.

The mobile sales centers include Notunbazar (Badda), Karail Basti (Banani),Khamarbari (Farmgate), Azimpur Matrisadan (Azimpur), Gabtali, Diabari (North), Japan Garden City (Mohammadpur), Shaatfoot Road (Mirpur) , Khilgaon (South of Rail Crossing), Secretariat (Abdul Gani Road) , Segun Bagicha Bazar , Rampura, Kalshi (Mirpur), Jatrabari (Maniknagar Goli), Basila (Mohammadpur), Hazaribagh (Section), Lucas More (Nakhalpara), Arambagh (Motijhil), Kamrangir Char,Mirpur 10, Kalyanpur, Tejgaon, Bangabazar and Kakrail.

The permanent markets include Mirpur Shah Ali Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Notun Bazar (100 feet), Kamalapur and Kazi Alauddin Road (Anandbazar).

Sales will be conducted by using well-equipped trucks which will reach the selling points by 9:00 am and sales will begin at 10:00 am.

A high-level committee, led by an additional secretary of the ministry, will oversee the programme round the clock.

Responsible officers and representatives from various organisations, including the DLS, Livestock and Dairy Development Project, Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council, Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association, and dairy processing entities will conduct monitoring activities.

The programme marks the fourth consecutive year of the ministry's sale of milk, eggs, and meat at affordable prices during Ramadan.

However, prices of those essentials, excluding milk and eggs, witnessed a notable hike in the last one month.

Beef is being sold at Tk750-800 a kg, mutton at Tk1,050-1,100, broiler at Tk 220-230 (dressed broiler chicken Tk300-320 a kg), cultured ruhi and katla fish at Tk 380-500 a kg in the city. Beef price witnessed Tk100-150 a kg surge since the second week of January last while broiler chicken increased by Tk50 a kg and cultured fish by Tk60-100 a kg hike during the period.

However, egg prices showed a slight decline in a month.

Meanwhile, vegetable and fruit prices showed further hike as brinjal reached Tk80-100 a kg on Sunday, just a day ahead of the Ramadan.

All kinds of fruits showed Tk30-100 a kg hike in a week.

Imported orange was sold at Tk260-280 a kg, apple at Tk300-380, local variety berry at Tk80-120 a kg.

Early variety watermelon was sold at Tk 60-80 a kg on Sunday.