Prices of Sonali chicken remained at elevated levels, while farm egg prices rose by Tk20 per dozen amid ongoing instability in kitchen markets on Friday.
A shortage of soybean oil at retail level also triggered disruptions and consumer complaints.
In Dhaka’s kitchen markets, broiler chicken prices declined slightly compared to last week. However, the egg market moved in the opposite direction, with farm egg prices increasing after remaining relatively stable for several months.
Traders said broiler chicken was selling at Tk180 per kg, while original Sonali chicken was priced at Tk450 per kg. Hybrid Sonali chicken was sold between Tk350 and Tk400 per kg, and layer chicken between Tk350 and Tk380 per kg.
Md Nasim, a poultry trader at Mirpur-10, said broiler prices had fallen by around Tk20 per kg compared to last week, but Sonali chicken prices remained unchanged due to supply constraints.
“Supply of Sonali chicken is not adequate compared to demand. If we place an order for 100 pieces, we receive only 50–60 pieces a day,” he said.
He added that Sonali chicken had sold at Tk320 per kg a month earlier, while layer chicken was priced at Tk380–400 per kg during the same period.
Indigenous chicken was sold at Tk650 per kg, compared to Tk600 per kg previously. Broiler chicken, which had recently increased to around Tk200 per kg, has now eased slightly.
Farm eggs were sold at Tk110 per dozen, up from lower levels seen in recent weeks.
Soybean oil shortage fuels market disruption
Retail markets also faced disruption due to a shortage of bottled soybean oil. Bottled soybean oil was sold at Tk195 per litre, while loose soybean oil rose to Tk210–Tk220 per litre. Palm oil was sold at Tk190–Tk200 per litre.
The Ministry of Commerce held a meeting with edible oil traders last Sunday. Traders had proposed a Tk12 per litre price hike for soybean oil, but the government rejected the proposal and directed them to increase supply. Despite the directive, market supply has not improved. The government last approved a Tk6 per litre increase in soybean oil prices in December last year.
Consumers reported shortages in several grocery shops across Dhaka, while some super shops were selling oil on a rationed basis.
Md Polash of Matlab Traders in Mirpur-13 said his shop had not received soybean oil supply from companies for the past two weeks. He said wholesale prices of loose soybean oil had risen to Tk201 per kg from Tk195 per kg over the past fortnight.
Retailers said supply was often tied to forced bundling conditions, where they were required to purchase additional products along with soybean oil. In turn, some retailers were imposing similar conditions on customers.
Source:Daily Sun
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
