Egg import fails to ease soaring prices

Prices of eggs and fish increased last week again battering the consumers further.
Rice, veggies, chicken and other essentials remained static maintaining previous highs, according to market sources.
Though private companies start importing eggs, as 0.231 million has recently been imported, it failed to ease soaring prices in the Dhaka city markets.
A dozen eggs are being sold at Tk 160-165 marking Tk 5.0-10 a further hike in a week.
Visit to various kitchen markets in the capital's Mohammadpur and Rayer Bazar area revealed that the imported eggs have had little impact on the market.
Ramjan Ali, a grocer, said Rayer Bazar said that they are still purchasing eggs from wholesale at Tk 13 to 13.5 each.
Haider Hossain, an egg trader, stated that due to the damage to farms in flood-affected districts in Cumilla and Noakhali regions, the prices are slightly higher.
He also mentioned that the demand has increased significantly in these districts, leading to further price hikes.
Hossain said the amount couldn't meet the demand for eggs even for an hour.
Faridur Islam, a Tejgaon-based trader said they've heard about egg imports, but have not seen any in the market. He said imports of five to ten million pieces a day could have an impact on the market.
Suman Howladar, President of the Bangladesh Poultry Association, said that the production cost of an egg in India is around Tk 5.0-5.5, while in Bangladesh, it costs Tk 10.3.
He raised concerns about the role of syndicates in the livestock and feed sectors, warning that the crisis could worsen if the government doesn't intervene to address the feed and day old chick (DOC) prices.
Meanwhile, broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 180 to Tk 190 per kilogram, Sonali chicken at Tk 270 to Tk 290, and local chicken at Tk 600 to Tk 650 per kilogram, maintaining previous highs.
In the vegetable market, prices also remain high. Bitter gourd, eddo, teasel gourd, clocasia stem, and long-yard bean are being sold at Tk 70 to Tk 90 per kilogram. Pointed gourd and okra are priced at Tk 60 to Tk 70, while brinjal is selling for Tk 90 to Tk 110 per kg.
Potatoes are retailed at Tk 55-60 a kg, garlic at Tk 200, onions at Tk 110-130 a kg and ginger at Tk 280-300 a kg.
The fish market is also seeing high prices, with Hilsa fish weighing 400-600 grams being sold for Tk 700 to Tk 800, 700-900 gram Tk 1200-1400 and above 900 gram at Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,000 a kg marking Tk 200-250 a kg surge in a week.
Riverine kachki, pabda, tengra, shoul, shrimp, ruhi, katla, air, boal have further become pricier by Tk 50-200 a kg.
Meanwhile, rice prices maintained the previous highs as coarse varieties are being retailed at Tk 55-56, medium Tk 65-66 and finer at Tk 72-88 a kg. Beef is also static at Tk 750-780 a kg.

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