Farmers begin egg sales in Dhaka to stabilise prices
FE REPORT | Tuesday, 17 October 2023
In an attempt to counter the surging egg market, a group of grassroots farmers has initiated direct egg sales at government-fixed prices via truck sales in Dhaka.
The Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) -- a group representing small-scale farmers challenging corporate dominance in the egg and poultry industry -- launched this marketing initiative in front of the Karwan Bazar TCB building on Monday.
Suman Howladar, the association's president, said this truck sales operation will gradually extend to 16 locations in the capital.
Although the government set a maximum price of Tk 10.50 per egg at the farm level and Tk 12 at retail, it could not be implemented even in two months.
In contrast, egg prices have risen by Tk 1 in the past week. While four eggs were supposed to be at Tk 48, they are now being sold at Tk 55 to Tk 60.
AHM Shafikuzzaman, director general of the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, inaugurated the sales, while the Chairman of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) Brigadier General Md Ariful Hassan was present as the special guest.
Following the inauguration, Shafikuzzaman said although marginal farmers produce 80 per cent of the eggs, only five to six corporate companies control this market.
"They control prices across the country through contract farming," he added.
Appreciating the initiative by the association, he said such endeavours would help stabilise the market. Besides, the egg import process is ongoing.
TCB Chairman Brigadier General Md Ariful Hassan said corporate firms should take a lesson from this initiative.
BPA President Sumon Howlader said the sales will gradually be expanded to 16 spots across the city. The BPA sourced the eggs directly from the growers. Each buyer can purchase a maximum of 30 eggs at once.