• Poultry Farmers Face Huge Losses Due to Unusual Drop in Egg Prices; BPICC Proposes Six-Point Plan

Poultry farmers are facing significant losses due to an unusual decline in egg prices. Many farmers, unable to sustain their businesses, are selling off their chickens. To tackle this crisis and protect small-scale farmers, the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) has presented a six-point proposal.

These proposals were highlighted recently at a discussion meeting with journalists covering the poultry and livestock sector, held at a hotel in Dhaka. The meeting was jointly organized by the World’s Poultry Science Association – Bangladesh Branch (WPSA-BB) and BPICC.

BPICC’s Six-Point Proposal:

1. Ensuring low-interest loans for poultry farmers.
2. Setting minimum and maximum prices for eggs and chickens.
3. Lifting the government ban on storing eggs in cold storage.
4. Providing subsidies to farmers during the off-season.
5. Reducing the AIT, TDS, and VDS rates on poultry feed to zero.
6. Formulating a clear strategy for egg and poultry production, storage, and marketing.

Poultry Farmers Facing Heavy Losses

WPSA-BB President Moshiur Rahman stated that while eggs are sold at 10-10.50 BDT in retail markets, they are being sold at 7.30-8.50 BDT at the farm level in many places—far below production costs. As a result, farmers are losing Tk.1.69-2.19  per egg. Over the past 21 days, total losses have amounted to Tk.1.59 to 2.06 billion.

WPSA-BB General Secretary Biplob Kumar Pramanik emphasized that Bangladesh’s eggs are safer than those from neighboring countries because the use of antibiotic growth promoters and meat-and-bone meal is prohibited here.

Need to Reduce Middlemen to Control Prices

Md. Nazrul Islam, General Secretary of the Feed Industries Association of Bangladesh (FIAB), pointed out that in Bangladesh, egg prices increase by Tk.3-4 from farm to consumer, whereas in neighboring countries, the increase is onlyTk. 1. He stressed the need to reduce the number of middlemen in the supply chain.

Concern Over Falling Prices of Day-Old Chicks

Shah Fahad Habib, General Secretary of the Breeders Association of Bangladesh (BAB), noted that the decline in the price of day-old chicks is another alarming issue that poses a serious threat to the poultry sector.

High Bank Loans and Unfair Market Conditions

Asaduzzaman Mezbah, CEO of Diamond Eggs, highlighted that farmers operate under heavy bank loan burdens and often sell eggs at a loss for 3-4 months each year. Instead of intimidating farmers, he suggested encouraging them to boost production.

Farmers Demand Fair Prices

Gazipur-based farmer Tofazzal Hossain complained that he had to sell eggs for as low as Tk.7.30, despite the government setting farm-level egg prices. However, he was unable to sell at the official price due to market conditions and restrictions on storage.

Calls for Export Instead of Import

Aftab Alam, General Secretary of the Animal Health Companies Association of Bangladesh (AHCAB), stated that while the government allowed egg imports, it has had little impact on the market. Instead, he urged authorities to focus on exporting eggs.

Future Demand Expected to Rise

Farmers predict that in the coming years, per capita egg demand will rise from 135 to 300. If local production does not increase, the country may have to depend on imports, which could harm the economy in the long run.

Experts believe that if the government implements BPICC’s six-point proposal, the poultry industry will recover and achieve sustainable domestic production.