Bangladesh surpasses national egg demand amid market challenges
Bangladesh’s egg surplus hits 59.65cr, per capita supply jumps from 35 to 137 in a decade
Bangladesh has exceeded its national egg requirement, producing a surplus of 59.65 crore eggs beyond the 185 crore eggs needed annually, as recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for a healthy per capita intake of 104 eggs.
The Department of Livestock Services reports annual egg production of 244.65 crore, with commercial farms contributing 3.5-4 crore and rural households 2-2.5 crore daily. Over the past decade, production has more than doubled, from 119.24 crore eggs in 2015-16 to the current output.
Per capita availability has risen to 137 eggs, up from just 35 a decade ago, making Bangladesh self-sufficient in eggs. Yet, small-scale farmers are struggling to survive.
Last year, a shortage of day-old layer chicks, rising feed and medicine costs, and low egg prices forced many to close. Industry sources estimate that 20-25% of farms were shuttered in the past year, following around 30% closures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Of the 50,000+ registered and unregistered farms, only 10-12% are corporate-owned; the remainder belong to small entrepreneurs. Many face market volatility and rising production costs. Debashish Bhattacharya, a Raozan-based farmer, said, "Production has increased, but small farmers remain vulnerable. Last year, nearly 30% of our chicks died due to poor quality, and costs are high."
Taher Ahmed Siddiqui, president of the Bangladesh Egg Producers Association, emphasised that policy support is critical to safeguard farmers and employment.
The Department of Livestock Services aims to raise per capita egg availability to 165 by 2031 and 208 by 2041. Experts stress that production growth alone is insufficient; protecting small farmers, regulating markets, controlling costs, and ensuring fair prices are essential for long-term sustainability.
