Rein in broiler chicken price

Broiler chicken used to be an affordable source of protein in Bangladesh. But it is now out-of-reach for many people. The price of broiler chicken set Tk 260 a kilogram benchmark in Dhaka city. The price of Sonali variety of chicken has also increased by Tk 50-60 and the item is sold for Tk 320 a kg and the local variety for Tk 550-600 a kilogram. The price of eggs has also increased and a dozen of eggs now sell at Tk 150. A number of traders have blamed an unusual rise in the price of one-day-old chicks and poultry feed as the main cause behind the sudden increase in poultry chicken and egg prices. Unfortunately, it is the poor who have to bear the consequences of the surging inflation. Many people can no longer afford broiler chicken that they used as an alternative to mutton or beef.

Moreover, prices of almost all perishable commodities, including fruits and vegetables, have been hiked across Bangladesh. Beef or goat meat has already become a luxury item. It is beyond the reach of poor people. For protein, these people are heavily dependent on broiler chicken. There is no efficient price control system in the country. And this is why businessmen are raising commodity prices at their sweet will. So, the authorities concerned must do something to control the rising prices of essentials particularly of broiler chicken. The government must address the feed crisis and take steps to bring down its price.

Fariha Tabassum Piya,

Student of Department of Management,

University of Dhaka, Dhaka,

[email protected]