Wholesalers agree to resume egg sales to normalise supply

The city's egg wholesalers announced on Tuesday the resumption of egg sales after a two-day halt in protest against the government's mobile courts.
Traders have agreed to restore normal supply levels following assurances from the government regarding a more flexible approach to price obligations.
This decision emerged from a meeting on Tuesday organised by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) and representatives from all levels of the egg supply chain, including producers and wholesalers.
Over the last two days, no trucks entered the Tejgaon egg wholesale market in the city, which typically supplies around 1.4 to 1.5 million eggs daily.
The resulting supply shortage has caused prices to rise in markets such as Karwan Bazar and Mohammadpur Agricultural Market, with eggs currently selling at 180-185 in the wholesale market.
During the meeting, discussions included reducing the burden on middlemen to enable consumers to purchase eggs at more affordable prices.
Factors contributing to the supply shortage include rising prices of consumer goods, increased demand for eggs, and reduced production due to recent floods in the southeastern region.
In response, the government has authorised the import of 4.5 million eggs, although these have not yet arrived.
Traders have requested that they not face harassment under government market monitoring, emphasising that purchasing eggs at higher prices during production stages prevents them from lowering retail prices.
In light of the situation, the DNCRP has said it will remain rational.
Producers indicated that the government aims to streamline the supply process by reducing reliance on middlemen, with cooperation sought from major manufacturing companies.
Amanat Ullah, leader of the Tejgaon Egg Wholesalers Association, said, "We have assured the government that we will normalise egg supply starting Tuesday night. Trucks will begin entering soon."
He said following the current circumstances, the DNCRP will refrain from pressuring us to implement the government-fixed price for now.
Meanwhile, the DNCRP reviewed the maximum price of eggs at Tk 10.9 per piece at the producer stage, Tk 11.11 at wholesale, and Tk 11.87 at the retail level, almost the same as the previous rates fixed by the Department of Livestock Services on September 15 last.
The current market prices are above Tk 13 at the production stage, Tk 14.5 at wholesale, and Tk 15.5-Tk 16 at the retail level.
Meanwhile, the government has started an open-market truck sale of onion, potato, eggs, papaya, and five other kinds of vegetables at subsidized rates from twenty different points in the city on Tuesday.
UNB adds: Finance Adviser Dr. Saleh Uddin inaugurated the OMS programme in front of the Food Building on Tuesday morning.
Consumers can purchase one kg potatoes at Tk 30, one dozen eggs at Tk 130, one kg of onion at Tk 70, one kg green papaya at Tk 20 and five different vegetables through the programme.
Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury who was present during the inauguration programme, said the government has taken such initiative to reach the products at an affordable price to the doorsteps of people.
Primarily, the OMS programme will be available in 20 points of Dhaka including Food building, Manik Mia Aveneue, Mirpur-10, Basabo, Basila, Rayer Bazar, Rajarbagh, Mugda-North, Mugda-South, Palashi intersection, Hazaribagh, Mohammadpur, Gabtoli, Mohakhali Bus Stand, Begunbari, Uttarkhan, Dakkhinkhan, Kamrangirchar, Rampura and Jigatola.

[email protected]