The Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has held corporate syndicates in the poultry feed and chick industry responsible for the volatility in egg and poultry prices.
"Corporate companies manipulate the market for their commercial gains, driving up the costs of eggs, poultry, feed, and chicks," BPA President Md Suman Hawlader said at a press conference in Dhaka on Saturday, reports bdnews24.com.
"Corporate syndicates are behind the periodic instability in the egg and poultry market. A significant cost disparity exists between corporate groups and small-scale farmers, which poses a major challenge for the sector," Hawlader said.
Small-scale farmers produce 80 per cent of eggs and poultry, while corporate groups account for just 20 per cent, he added.
"Yet, the corporate entities' strategic control of the market has made survival increasingly difficult for small-scale farmers."
Highlighting disparities in production costs, Hawlader said it costs small farmers Tk 10.50-11 to produce each egg and Tk 155-170 per kilogram for broiler chickens, compared to Tk 8-9 per egg and Tk 130-140 per kg for corporate groups.
"This disparity allows corporate groups to lower their prices strategically, weakening small farmers and capturing the market," he said.
Hawlader warned of a crisis in the small poultry sector due to the dominance of corporate syndicates.
He urged the government to implement the fixed prices for eggs and poultry declared earlier.
"If the government ensures implementation of its price guidelines at the production level, consumer prices for eggs and poultry will drop significantly. Currently, small farmers cannot profit due to high production costs, forcing many to shut down operations," Hawlader said.
He also questioned why the government fails to act when feed and chick prices rise.
"When egg or poultry prices increase, we see swift government intervention. But when feed or chick prices go up, there is no response, despite the direct impact on small farmers," he said.
Hawlader criticised corporate groups for citing international markets to justify higher feed prices, even as global rates are on the decline.
"Corporate companies have formed syndicates to raise prices for chicks, which were once affordable when imported. This has severely harmed small farmers and handed over market control to monopolistic corporations."
He alleged that corporate groups are making Tk 60 billion in excess profits annually from feed and chick sales while claiming fabricated losses to the government.
"This syndicate-driven profiteering is draining the sector and threatening small farmers' survival," Hawlader said.
Farmers from district and Upazila levels were present at the event to voice their concerns.
The BPA submitted a 16-point list of demands to the government, aimed at protecting small-scale farmers and ensuring stability in the poultry sector.
The demands include limiting corporate companies' activities to feed and chick production, dismantling the syndicates and ensuring affordable feed and chick supplies for farmers, establishing a fair market system and providing special incentives for affected farmers.
