Broiler chicken price rises as shutdown leads to supply crisis

Broiler chicken prices are rising due to a supply crisis and a slump in sales, traders said.

The price of one kilogramme of chicken has jumped from Tk110-115 to Tk170-180 in a month.

According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh data, the price has gone up by 51.11 percent in a month. 

Md Habibur Rahman, a trader at Rampura kitchen market, said he has sold 20 kilogrammes of chicken in three days.

"I used to sell 20-25 kilogrammes in just a day. Chicken prices have risen on the wholesale market. We are selling at higher prices because our expenses have increased," he said.

Wholesalers at Tejgaon and Kaptan Bazar said they sold a kilogramme of chicken at Tk123-125 – which was Tk90 a month before.    

They said the Covid-19 shutdown has led to a supply crisis and marginalised farm owners are struggling to sell chicken.

Wholesaler Mizanur Rahman said farm owners hastily sold their chickens a month ago before shutting production – leading to a supply crisis.       

The Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council said monthly production of broiler chicken fell to 25,000-27,000 tonnes from 90,000 tonnes because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.   

It said 50 to 60 percent of chicken farms were closed due to the shutdown. 

The retail price of home-grown onion also increased on the market. Two weeks ago, the price fell to Tk45 from Tk60, but has now increased to Tk50 again.   

However, onion shortages have not been reported.