Egg prices increase by Tk4 each despite import of 7.5 lakh pieces from India

Despite importing around 7.5 lakh pieces of eggs from India, the price has increased by more than Tk4 per piece over the past two months. 

Each egg is currently sold at Tk15 in kitchen markets across the country.

According to traders, the imported eggs are of white colour, which are bought by bakery owners. General customers prefer brown-coloured eggs, which are being sold at more than Tk14 in the wholesale market.

Visiting kitchen markets in Jashore today (11 October), this correspondent found that wholesale traders were selling eggs at Tk14.50 per piece. Importing eggs from India has failed to bring down the prices of the item.

According to white egg traders, the daily demand for eggs is around one crore pieces. Around 7.5 pieces of eggs have been imported from India in four phases since November last year, which is much less than the demand.

Besides, eggs imported from India are white, which the general customers do not prefer to buy, they said. 

"Brown eggs weigh 60gm to 65gm, while white eggs weigh 50gm to 55gm. If the imported eggs are not sold, traders will lose hope of importing eggs again," said Dr Binoy Krishna Mandal, livestock officer of Benapole. 

President of Benapole Egg Traders Nazrul Islam said, "Currently, there is enough supply of eggs in the market, and the demand is good too. However, traders have to buy eggs at increased prices, which is having an impact on the wholesale and retail markets."

Monirul Islam, a resident of Jashore's Sharsha, said, "There is no impact of importing eggs from India as they can't be found in the local stores. We are forced to buy brown eggs at Tk15 per piece. Some wicked traders are selling eggs at increased prices, taking advantage of the demand. Strict measures should be taken against them."

Ashish Kumar, a retail egg trader in Jashore, said, "Egg prices are determined by syndicates. Every day, the syndicates determine egg prices through SMS, which needs monitoring. The process of buying and selling eggs by the traders has to be scrutinised by the authorities."

Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate of Sharsha upazila Nusrat Yamin said, "We are conducting regular drives based on complaints. Receipts of buying and selling, price charts etc are being strictly monitored. We will also inspect if egg prices are being engineered."

Contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Overall) of Jashore SM Shahin said, "Our magistrates are working with Consumer Rights Protection Directorate officials to montinor the market."

A total of 7,57,470 pieces of eggs were imported from India since November last year. Price of each egg after taxation has been Tk7.

The eggs were imported from India's Sree Lakhsmi Narayan Bhandar by Dhaka's Hydro Land Solution.