Chicken, egg prices rise further due to output fall

Prices of chicken and egg witnessed further rise in the city markets Sunday amid a decline in production, traders said.
Chicken prices, which increased nearly by 20 per cent last week compared with those of the previous week, rose further by Tk 5-20 per kg or per piece on the day in the key kitchen markets.
Farm chicken (broiler) was sold at Tk 160-165 per kg on the day, showing a rise of Tk 5 per kg. Medium-sized Pakistani chicken was sold at Tk 270-280 per piece and big-sized Tk 370-380, rising Tk 15-20 per piece within a day.
Local variety of chicken (big-sized) was sold at increased prices, ranging from Tk 480 to Tk 520 per piece on the day.
Farm chicken egg price also increased in a month and was sold at Tk 29-30 per 'hali' or four pieces at wholesale level and Tk 32 at retail level.      
"Chicken prices are increasing in the farm level, as the month of Ramadan is approaching nearer," said a retailer in Azimpur area.
"The signs of the market are indicating that the price of broiler will reach Tk 170-175 per kg before Ramadan."
"I bring chicken from farms at Bailarpur near Savar. Per kg costs me Tk 160 Sunday, which was Tk 154 per kg Friday. Farm owners told me that their production declined due to rough weather, which caused the hike," he added.
When contacted, many farm owners in Gazipur, Tangail, Savar and Dhamrai areas said the prices of farm chicken increased due to decline in production following high temperature.
A poultry farm owner at Dhamrai said the prices have increased slightly in farms due to production crunch.
"The ongoing heat-wave from April is causing the birds' abhorrence to food intake, which caused significant fall in production."
"Production cost has increased to nearly Tk 145-146 per kg now amid the decline in output and hike in feed prices and maintenance cost," he also said.
Breeders Association of Bangladesh secretary Saidur Rahman Babu also cited the reason of extreme hot and humid weather behind the price hike.
He said: "Chicken meat is still the cheapest source of animal protein. Its prices can be reduced by lowering feed prices."
When asked about the proposed budget, he said the decision of giving full duty waver on importing sorghum, millet, guar meal and zeolite is very encouraging, and it can help reduce feed prices.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, about 87,000 poultry farms provide 6.0 million tonnes of chicken meat annually, accounting for 45 per cent of the total protein the country consumes.