Eggs and chickens are not available at government-fixed rates as both items have become a bit expensive even after the introduction of their maximum retail prices (MRPs), market sources say.
The Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in alignment with the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) set prices of eggs, Sonali and broiler chickens at producer, wholesale and retail levels on Sunday.
The FE visited three markets in the capital on Tuesday and found broiler chicken and eggs still selling above government-fixed prices.
Consumers are paying extra for these items as each egg now costs Tk 2.5 more than the price set.
On Sunday, the government announced MRP for egg at Tk 11.87 apiece, Sonali chicken at Tk 269 per kg and broiler at Tk 179.5.
However, brown egg retailed at Tk 13.75 each in the market.
A 'haali' (four eggs) was priced at Tk 55, while a dozen eggs ranged from Tk 160 to Tk 165.
The price of white eggs, which was previously Tk 12.5 apiece, has now increased to Tk 13.75 following the government's price announcement.
Similarly, broiler sells at Tk 185-190 a kg, meaning that consumers have to pay Tk 5.0-10 more for a kilo than the government-set price.
Tejgaon-based trader Anisur Rahman told the FE that he was selling brown eggs at Tk 12.5 apiece to retailer than Tk 11.5 before the price was fixed.
He said white eggs, which are typically Tk 0.5-1.0 cheaper than brown eggs, have also seen price rises.
Sumon Hawlader, president of the Bangladesh Poultry Association, said the government's price fixations were set to benefit large poultry farms.
Without reducing the cost of poultry feed, he underlined that the initiative would offer little relief to small farmers and consumers.
He also pointed out that imports would not significantly curb prices as they only cover a small portion of the 40-million eggs needed daily.
SM Nazer Hossain, vice-president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said the DAM and the DLS should make their price-setting decisions on accurate market data.
The production costs of brown and white eggs vary by Tk 0.7-1.0 per piece. White eggs were cheaper earlier, according to him.
Mr Hossain suggested that government agencies enforce fixed prices through regular market monitoring, calling for stricter scrutiny of large poultry farms to prevent price manipulation.
"The government must ensure that the private sector supplies 5,000-5,500 tonnes of chickens and 40-million eggs at reasonable prices daily as they constitute most affordable sources of protein for the masses."
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