The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has announced that beef and mutton will not be sold to low-income people during the upcoming Ramadan.
Instead, the focus will be on selling chicken, eggs, and milk. This decision, driven by limited capacity, was made during a meeting with stakeholders on Sunday and has drawn criticism from both consumers and farmers amidst soaring inflation.
In previous years, the Directorate of Fisheries and Livestock sold meat, milk, and eggs at subsidized prices through mobile trucks during Ramadan, drawing widespread consumer interest.
However, this year, the exclusion of beef and mutton marks a significant change.
The decision was finalized at a meeting led by Farida Akhter, an advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The program will now offer dairy milk at Tk 80 per liter, dressed broiler chicken at Tk 250 per kilogram, and eggs at Tk 9.50 each.
Dr. Abu Sufian, Director General of the Directorate of Livestock, stated, "We plan to prioritize this initiative using the ministry's resources and stakeholder support. For now, we are starting with these three products".
Earlier, consumers could purchase beef and mutton at reduced prices of Tk 600 and Tk 900 per kg, even amid rising market prices. The absence of this option has caused disappointment among many.
One consumer shared, "Prices are already too high. Not everyone can afford essential items. This program was a lifeline for low-income families."
Imran Hossain, president of the Dairy Farmers Association, expressed concerns: "Without beef, this initiative loses much of its appeal. Key items are being excluded, but per capita costs remain the same. Additionally, milk and chicken cannot be effectively sold from open trucks".
Last year, the government also included fish alongside meat in its Ramadan sales program. However, the Directorate has yet to decide whether fish will be part of this year’s offerings.
