Egg supply resumes in Dhaka after two-day halt

The Tejgaon Egg Traders' Association has announced the resumption of egg supply and sales after a two-day halt in protest against government raids. 

This decision to restore normal supply was reached following assurances of a more "flexible approach" in enforcing government-set price limits.

The agreement was made during a meeting today (15 October) with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, which included egg producers and traders from various levels. 

The protest had halted deliveries to the Tejgaon wholesale market on Sunday and Monday, where approximately 14-15 lakh eggs are typically supplied daily. 

As a result of the supply disruption, markets such as Karwan Bazar and Mohammadpur Krishi Market experienced shortages, leading to a price increase from Tk165-170 to Tk180-190 per dozen.

During the meeting, wholesalers and producers discussed reducing the influence of middlemen, which could enable eggs to be sold to consumers at lower prices. 

The rising prices of vegetables, fish, and other essential goods have increased the demand for eggs, while supply has been hampered by decreased production due to floods in the southeastern region.

Although the government has approved the import of 4.5 crore eggs to help manage the situation, those supplies have not yet arrived.

Traders have voiced concerns about the potential for harassment under the guise of government raids, arguing that if wholesalers have to purchase eggs at higher prices from producers, they cannot lower the price themselves. They consider the price set by the government to be unrealistic.

In response, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has stated that it will not pressure traders to sell eggs at the government-set prices for the time being. Additionally, corporate companies have been instructed to boost egg supplies to Dhaka.

Producers mentioned that the government is exploring methods to directly supply eggs to Dhaka by bypassing middlemen, seeking cooperation from large production companies for this initiative.

Amanat Ullah, the leader of the Tejgaon egg wholesalers, told TBS, "We have promised the government that we will ensure a normal supply of eggs from tonight. Trucks carrying eggs will enter the wholesale market." 

"Considering the current situation, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has said that they will not push for the immediate implementation of the government-set egg prices and have agreed to some flexibility," he added.

Mahbubur Rahman, president of the Breeders Association of Bangladesh, said that the government is working on increasing the supply of eggs by bypassing middlemen and that producers have been asked to assist in this effort.

On 16 September, the Department of Agricultural Marketing set the maximum retail price for eggs at Tk11.87 each, but they are still being sold at Tk15 or more.