Stocks at govt's fair price sale sold out within hours, demand rises for supply boost

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL) launched a truck sale of eggs, milk, and meat at affordable prices today to ensure consumers' access to essential animal proteins during Ramadan. 

However, the limited supply has left many consumers disappointed as stocks were sold out within just two hours in most locations, sparking demands for increased supply.

As part of the programme, liquid milk will be sold at Tk80 a litre, beef Tk650 a kg, dressed broiler chicken at Tk250 a kg, and eggs at Tk114 a dozen, which are much cheaper than in the mainstream market.

Despite this, the demand quickly outstripped supply, with most products selling out by 11:30am or 12 noon.

The open market sale is being conducted at 25 locations in Dhaka during the month of Ramadan. At various spots visited by The Business Standard, the products were in high demand and sold out quickly. 

For example, at Shahjadpur, 60 kg of beef, 60 kg of chicken, 1,200 eggs, and 80 liters of milk were allocated. However, by 12:30pm, all items were gone. 

Consumers, drawn by the lower prices, have been flocking to these sales, but many are leaving empty-handed due to the quick depletion of stock.

Shahadat Hossain, in- charge of the Shahjadpur spot, said, "The demand is high, and the crowd was larger than yesterday. We've sold all the products allocated to us."

Zahidul Islam, a customer, commented, "The prices are relatively lower here, but the line is long. It would be better if the supply were increased."

A similar scene played out at Khambarbari in the capital, where all goods were sold by 12 noon. At this location, 60 kg of beef, 88 kg of chicken, 2,020 eggs, and 211 liters of milk were available, but they were all gone by midday.

In the afternoon, Md Jamaluddin arrived hoping to purchase meat but left empty-handed. He said, "I heard that meat is sold at a lower price here, but there was none left. They said it was sold out."

Md Mokaddas, in charge at Khambarbari spot, told TBS, "The demand is high, and many people are coming. By around 12 noon, everything was sold out."

The Ministry of Livestock had initially announced daily sales of 60,000 eggs, 6,000 liters of pasteurized milk, 2,000 kg of skinned broiler chicken, and 2,000 to 2,500 kg of beef. However, the leading to a mismatch between supply and demand.

The Ministry's initiative is supported by the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC), Bangladesh Dairy and Fattening Farmers Association (BDFFA), dairy processing institutions, and other stakeholders, including small-scale farmers.

Currently, in retail markets across Dhaka, beef is priced at Tk750-800 per kilogram, liquid milk at Tk100-110 per litre, and eggs are sold for Tk130-135 per dozen. 

Consumers purchasing from the truck sales benefit from significantly lower prices, but the limited supply means many are left without the products they sought.