RN Desk: The Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA) has expressed concern that banning or strictly controlling the import of poultry Parent Stock (PS) chicks could create a severe crisis in the country’s egg and chicken meat market.
In a statement issued recently (Wednesday, January 21), signed by BPIA President Mosharaf Hossain Chowdhury and Secretary General M. Safir Rahman Rahman, the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA) stated that limiting PS chick imports without adequate preparation and alternative arrangements would severely harm marginal and medium-scale farmers. This would directly impact egg and poultry production, potentially forcing consumers to pay higher prices for these essential food items.
According to BPIA, the poultry sector is not merely an industry—it is the primary source of animal protein in the country, a key driver of the rural economy, and a foundation of livelihood and employment for millions of people. Any disruption in supply within this sector would negatively affect national food security.
The organization further stated that under the current structure, restricting PS chick imports would primarily benefit a handful of large corporate entities involved in Grand Parent (GP), Parent Stock (PS), commercial layer and broiler chick production, feed mills, and contract growing businesses. As a result, most hatcheries and breeder farms outside these corporate groups would effectively be deprived of access to PS chicks.
BPIA warned that this could reduce market competition and lead to the formation of an oligopolistic structure, which may become institutionalized through the implementation of the proposed “Poultry Policy 2026.” If certain companies release limited quantities of PS chicks into the market at high prices after meeting their own needs, it could create artificial shortages.
According to the association, such a shortage of chicks could force many farms to shut down, reduce overall production, and directly affect the egg and poultry market. Consumers would then be compelled to purchase these products at abnormally high prices.
BPIA also emphasized that the social and economic impacts of such a situation would be far-reaching. Employment for millions of people directly and indirectly involved in the poultry sector would be at risk, rural incomes and cash flow would decline, and it would become increasingly difficult for the government to control the market and maintain price stability.
The association believes that a complete ban or excessively strict regulation on PS chick imports is not a sustainable solution. Instead, imports should remain open and flexible so that PS chicks or hatching eggs can be quickly imported during times of crisis. In this regard, BPIA stressed the need for strict enforcement of existing animal disease control laws and poultry import regulations.
In the concluding part of the statement, the organization urged policymakers to ensure a competitive market system, maintain diversified supply sources, and protect marginal and medium-scale farmers for the sustainable development of the poultry sector. Otherwise, the decision under the proposed Poultry Policy 2026 could lead to a deep crisis for egg and poultry consumers.
