Egg prices hit ten-month high Tk 165 a dozen on Saturday

The prices of eggs hit a ten-month high at Tk 160-165 per dozen on Saturday, battering the low-income groups, who highly depend on the essential as the cheapest protein source.

Farm brown egg prices have increased by Tk 10-15 a dozen in a day and by Tk 30-35 a dozen in a week.

Consecutively in 2022 and 2023 August, eggs hit Tk 155-Tk 165 per dozen.

The government in August last year even permitted the import of the item for the first time following the tectonic price rise.

But, importers hardly could bring amid higher duty and later a decline in price in the domestic market, said insiders.

Juel Rana, a grocer at West Dhanmondi in the city, said the wholesale price of brown egg is Tk 11.90-Tk 12.40 depending on suppliers.

He said wholesale costs increased by 20-25 per cent and in retail by 35-40 per cent in a week.

Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) President Sumon Hawlader said marginal farmers reduced egg production due to extended heat waves in April last, causing a supply crunch and prompting the corporate egg syndicate to raise prices.

He said 30-40 per cent of small farms closed their operation amid the heatwave as well as rocketing price of day-old-chick, feed and others.

He said big poultry farms are cashing huge over low supply from marginal farmers.

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