The production of eggs in the country has doubled over the past decade, but the price of this everyday protein source remains stubbornly high for lower-middle-income and low-income consumers.
When the world celebrates the humble World Egg Day, describing it as nature’s “superfood” for health, strength, and hope, the story in Bangladesh appears more complex owing to production success shadowed by affordability concerns.
The challenge now is not how many eggs the country can produce, but how those eggs can be brought to every table, said experts.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, every person needs to consume at least 104 eggs per year to meet nutritional requirements and maintain good health.
The current per capita availability of eggs in the country is about 137 eggs per year, according to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS).
The DLS has set a target of raising per capita egg consumption to 165 eggs by 2031 and 208 eggs by 2041.
According to data from the DLS, egg production jumped from 1,017 crore pieces in FY14 to 2,338 crore in FY23, marking more than a twofold increase. The growth continued steadily, reaching 2,440 crore eggs in FY25.
However, despite this increase in output, eggs have become less affordable for ordinary households.
Figures from the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) show that in 2013, a four-egg pack from poultry farms sold for Tk34. Today, the same sells for around Tk46–50, a modest rise on paper, but a burden for low- and middle-income families grappling with inflation in almost every essential commodity.
Economist and researcher Dr Jahangir Alam Khan told the media that the price gap between production growth and affordability reflects deeper market inefficiencies.
Farmers struggle with soaring feed, fuel, and transport costs, while consumers are paying high prices due to an unstable market. Amid all this, big corporations are generating high profits through syndicates, he said.
In FY20, the country’s egg market was valued at around Tk12, 500 crore, which has nearly doubled to about Tk25, 000 crore in FY25, claimed market insiders. This expansion in production and market size has involved both small-scale farmers and large corporate producers.
Corporate farms have invested thousands of crores of taka in large-scale production of eggs, said people involved in this sector.
According to the DLS, about 20% of eggs are produced by corporate farms, while around 80% come from small-scale farmers.
According to the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC), the current production cost per egg is approximately Tk10.50.
Industry insiders blame the pressure of high prices partly on the rising cost of imported feed ingredients, weak supply chain management, and limited market oversight. Many small farms have already shut down, unable to cope with higher input costs and volatile wholesale prices.
Sumon Howlader, president of the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA), said, “Production has doubled, yet both producers and consumers are unhappy, farmers are losing money, and buyers are paying more.”
Marking World Egg Day, observed globally on the second Friday of October, the Bangladesh Poultry Association has renewed its call for government action to restore balance in the sector. Their recommendations include ensuring fair farm-gate prices, low-interest credit for marginal farmers, and stronger market monitoring to protect both producers and consumers.
Courtesy: Daily sun.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
