The Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has expressed concern over the instability currently affecting the country’s egg and broiler chicken market ahead of Ramadan and Eid. The organization has alleged the presence of a corporate syndicate and has submitted a six-point demand to the government.
According to BPA, although production costs have increased, small and marginal poultry farmers are not receiving fair prices for their chickens. For the past seven months, farmers have been incurring losses of 40 to 50 taka per kilogram of chicken and 3 to 4 taka per egg compared to production costs.
The president of the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA), Md. Suman Hawlader, said that chicken prices have suddenly increased recently. However, eggs are being sold at 6 to 7 taka each, while the production cost is about 10 taka per egg. He added that they do not want the market to remain under the control of syndicates. Instead, they want the market to be regulated by the government, allowing farmers a 10% profit margin over production costs for eggs and chickens.
Farmers are also being forced to buy feed, chicks, and medicines at higher prices. As a result, around 50,000 poultry farms and the employment of 5 to 6 million people are at risk. BPA leaders also claim that despite existing policies, no proper grading system is being followed for chicks.
