Egg sales resume in Tejgaon market after 2-day halt
The decision was announced today (15 October), following a meeting with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, egg producers and traders from various levels, as the government assured a more flexible approach regarding compliance with selling eggs as per set prices
Traders in Tejgaon wholesale market, one of the largest wholesale egg markets in the capital, have decided to resume their sales after a two-day halt owing to concerns over the government's price enforcement actions.
The decision was announced today (15 October), following a meeting with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, egg producers and traders from various levels, as the government assured a more flexible approach regarding compliance with selling eggs as per set prices.
The meeting was called as no trucks entered Tejgaon's wholesale market on Sunday and Monday, which typically supplies 14-15 lakh eggs daily. The shortage led to price hikes in several markets, including Karwan Bazar and Mohammadpur Krishi Market, with eggs being sold at Tk 180-190 per dozen, up from Tk 165-170.
Discussions during the meeting also touched on reducing the influence of middlemen to lower costs for consumers.
The market demand has increased due to rising prices of vegetables and fish, along with reduced production caused by flooding in the southeastern region, which has exacerbated the egg shortage. Although the government has approved the import of 4.5 crore eggs to ease the supply crisis, they have yet to arrive in the country.
Traders expressed concerns over being harassed during the raids, stating that if they are forced to buy eggs at higher prices from producers, they cannot lower the retail price and that the government's price regulation is not realistic.
In response, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection indicated that it would not immediately pressure traders to sell eggs at the government-mandated price.
Additionally, manufacturing companies have been instructed to increase egg supplies in Dhaka.
Amanat Ullah, leader of the Tejgaon egg traders, told TBS, "We have assured the government that egg supplies will be back to normal from tonight. Trucks carrying eggs will start entering the market."
"Considering the current situation, the Consumer Rights Directorate has agreed not to push for the immediate implementation of the government-set price and has allowed some flexibility," he added.
Mahbubur Rahman, president of the Breeders Association of Bangladesh (BAB), mentioned that the government is working on ways to bypass middlemen and ensure direct egg supply to Dhaka, seeking cooperation from major producers.
Despite the Department of Agricultural Marketing setting the maximum retail price for eggs at Tk11.87 per piece on 16 September, eggs are still being sold at Tk15 or higher.