Egg prices have surged across the country as extreme heat disrupts production and supply, adding to the burden of rising living costs for consumers.
In markets in the capital, eggs are now selling at Tk140–150 per dozen, up by Tk20–30 from last week. Local chicken eggs are priced at Tk220–240 per dozen, while duck eggs are selling for Tk200–210.
Egg vendors in the capital said that the price increase is reasonable. Eggs are spoiled in the intense heat, and the price has increased due to less production as per demand.
Apart from this, they said that the closure of small chicken farms and the oil crisis are also reasons.
Producers said that when the hot weather appears, chickens eat less and lay fewer eggs. Therefore, production has not been as per demand in the last one month. Apart from this, the cost of food imports has increased due to the Middle East war. Many chickens have also died due to the bird flu virus this year. Overall, the price of eggs has increased.
On Saturday, a visit to the Mirpur-11 and Mirpur-6 kitchen markets in the capital showed that eggs from each farm are being sold at 12-13 taka at the retail level. A dozen is being sold for 140-150 taka, which is 20-30 taka more than last week.
A dozen of local chicken eggs is being sold for 220-240 taka. A dozen of duck eggs are being sold for 200-210 taka.
Rashed Mahmud, a private employee, said, "Eggs were the cheapest source of protein for ordinary people like us. But now we are struggling to buy those eggs. Such a price increase in a week is really unusual. It really seems that the price of everything in the market is going beyond our reach."
Sohel Mia, an egg seller in Mirpur-11 market, said, "Last week too, we sold a dozen for 120 taka. Now we have to buy them at a higher price from wholesalers. Many eggs are getting spoiled in the heat, and the supply is also low. So we also have to sell them at a higher price."
When asked, Breeders Association of Bangladesh President Mahabubur Rahman told Bangladesh Pratidin that the price of eggs depends a lot on production and demand. “The country has been experiencing a lot of heat for the past few days. When the heat is too high, chickens lay fewer eggs. They also eat less food. Many chickens have died because they could not tolerate the heat. Overall, production is low now. In addition, I have received information that eggs are being spoiled in many areas due to excessive heat. The price of eggs has increased as production is disrupted according to demand.”
Bd-pratidin English/TR
