The Crime Desk: The egg market has become very unstable. The government is not able to control the price of eggs even by fixing the price. At present, eggs are being sold at Tk 180 per dozen in various retail markets of the capital. That is, the price of one egg is 60 rupees. It is being sold at a higher price in neighborhood shops.
Traders said there is a shortfall in the supply of eggs compared to the demand. Besides, now the prices of all kinds of vegetables are high in the market. As a result, the egg is under pressure. However, marginal farmers have complained that unscrupulous traders are increasing the price of eggs. This instability in the egg market is due to the dominance of corporate groups and Tejgaon egg traders. In this situation, the Ministry of Commerce has given permission to import four and a half million eggs on Tuesday. In addition, the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission has recommended the temporary withdrawal of customs duties on egg imports to reduce the price of eggs in the market. At present, 33 percent customs duty is payable on the import of eggs.
In a letter sent to the NBR, the Tariff Commission said that the price of eggs has gone up abnormally due to shortage of supply in the market. As a result, seven establishments have been allowed to import eggs for a limited period to regulate the market. Among the companies that have received permission, Mim Enterprises of Dhaka, Taosin Traders of Himalaya, and Jessore will be able to import one crore eggs each. Apart from this, Prime Care Bangladesh and Zaman Traders of Dhaka have received permission to import 50 lakh eggs, Alif Traders of Rangpur 30 lakh, and Sumon Traders of Satkhira 20 lakh. Earlier, the government had allowed the import of eggs in September. This time some conditions have been given for importing eggs. This includes importing eggs from countries free of avian influenza or bird flu.
Secondly, each shipment of imported eggs must be submitted with a certificate of freedom from avian influenza or bird flu virus and harmful bacteria issued by the government of the exporting country or authorized authority. Meanwhile, earlier, the government fixed the price to keep the egg market stable, but it was not effective. The Department of Livestock last month fixed 11 rupees 87 paise per peach egg for sale in the retail market. But currently an egg is being sold in the retail market for more than 15 rupees, which is much higher than the fixed price. The government’s marketing agency, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), has also highlighted the increased price of eggs in its market price report.
According to the information of the organization, the price of each egg has increased by more than 12 percent in the last year. Although in reality the price has increased even more. Marginal farmers organization Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) has complained that traders are making extra profit behind this unusual increase in the price of eggs.
Campaign to stabilize the market for eggs and other daily commodities
The National Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection yesterday conducted an operation to stabilize the market of daily commodities including eggs, broiler chicken, and edible oil across the country, including the capital. Six teams under the leadership of six officers of the Directorate conducted the raid in the capital. A fine of Tk 50,000 was imposed and collected on four companies for various crimes, including not having valid receipts for the purchase of eggs by raiding egg and chicken shops in Mirpur-6 and Mirpur-11 markets under the Pallabi police station of Dhaka city.
It is to be noted that 139 institutions were fined 10 lakh 83 thousand 500 taka yesterday in 53 team raids of the Directorate in 48 districts of the country.
