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The prices of egg have hit a 10-month high of Tk 145-155 a dozen in the city markets, adding further woes to the commoners who are struggling with soaring prices of many other essentials.
According to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), egg prices jumped by around Tk 10 a dozen just in a week.
With the fresh hikes, egg prices went up by Tk 25-30 a dozen in the past one month, trading sources said.
They, however, attributed such sudden surge in the egg prices to factors like the prevailing higher prices of fish, meat and vegetables, for which the demand for eggs increased.
Poultry farmers, on the other hand, claimed that heavy rain falls along with higher humidity in recent days had taken a toll on the egg production, resulting in its price hikes.
Rifat Hossain, a grocer at Mohammadpur's Sher-e-Bangla Road, said wholesale rates of egg rose to Tk 11.3 a piece or about 136 per dozen on Thursday from Tk 10.2 a week ago and Tk 9.5 a piece two weeks back.
He also predicted a further rise in the egg prices as its demand continued to rise.
Belal Hossain, an egg trader at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, said higher prices of fish, meat, and vegetables contributed to the rising demand for egg.
Mashiur Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Coordination Committee (BPICC), said the government had fixed the maximum retail price of eggs at Tk 11.87 per piece in September-October last year.
During the period between January and June of this year, eggs were selling at Tk 10-11 per piece at retail levels, according to trading sources.
Although the maximum farm-gate price of egg was set at Tk 10.58 per piece by the government, it was sold at Tk 8.0 or below for the past seven months, they mentioned.
Suman Hawladar, President of the Bangladesh Poultry Association, said egg prices at farm levels still remained below the government-fixed rates of Tk 10.40-10.50 per piece.
He said many farms had to close their operations due to the lower prices of egg.
He, however, said the recent price hikes of eggs would help revive the industry.
The Bangladesh Egg Producers Association said the overall egg outputs were affected in July-September period due to frequent rainfalls coupled with humid weather.
They said the daily production of eggs fell by 4.0-5.0 million pieces of eggs as against the demand of 40-45 million pieces a day.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, egg prices were Tk 150-155 in November 2024, which fell to Tk 135-145 per dozen in December and January.
Its prices further declined to Tk 118-125 a dozen in February, March, and April.
Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, Secretary of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said prices of egg have already gone up significantly.
He further said its prices would rise further if the government does not act immediately.
He suggested that the relevant agencies including Department of Livestock Services, the Department of Agricultural Marketing and the Commerce Ministry should sit immediately for the sake of keeping the country's egg market prices.
He also said common people have been bearing the brunt of soaring prices of most of the essential items.
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