When an egg costs more than a Sonali chick. Poultry in north in thick soup  | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 25, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 25, 2025
When an egg costs more than a Sonali chick. Poultry in north in thick soup 

Markets

Khorshed Alam
28 August, 2024, 09:50 am
Last modified: 28 August, 2024, 09:50 am

Related News

  • Can Bangladesh modernise poultry processing?
  • Farms closing daily as prices sink below costs, Poultry Association warns
  • Internet price to drop by 20% at ISP, IIG levels from July
  • Chandpur sees price jump after Eid: Veggies pricier, Hilsa unaffordable
  • Lax monitoring, hoarding send onion prices soaring in Khulna 

When an egg costs more than a Sonali chick. Poultry in north in thick soup 

Khorshed Alam
28 August, 2024, 09:50 am
Last modified: 28 August, 2024, 09:50 am
Photo: Collected
Photo: Collected

Currently, chicken eggs in Bogura district's kitchen markets are priced at Tk12.5, while day-old Sonali chicks are being sold for just Tk11 each in the wholesale market. This has forced hatchery owners to sell chicks at prices below production costs.

According to hatchery owners and traders, each egg needed to produce a Sonali chick costs between Tk13 and Tk15, and the total cost of raising a chick from an egg is approximately Tk20. However, chicks are now being sold for Tk10 to Tk12, resulting in significant losses.

Md Mizanur Rahman, a supervisor at Shefali Poultry in Gaibandha district, explained, "The business has suffered due to the country's political situation and floods. While producing a chick costs about Tk20, we are selling them for as low as Tk10." 

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Shefali Poultry produces 50,000 chicks each week, but Mizanur Rahman noted that the current selling price is insufficient to cover even the cost of the eggs.

Joypurhat district is a major centre for Sonali chicken production. About 50% of its population works in the poultry industry, focusing on Sonali chicks and feed. The rapid growth of this industry has led to many new poultry farms and hatcheries.

The poultry industry took shape in 1973 as a government farm on 11 acres in Jamalganj, Akkelpur upazila, Joypurhat. This marked the start of the Sonali breed development.

Today, the District Livestock Office reports around 11,000 poultry farms and 80 hatcheries in the district. The annual demand for chicks is 4.5 crore, but production reaches 8.5 crore, resulting in a surplus of 4 crore chicks. These extra chicks are distributed nationwide, but hatchery owners are currently facing challenges with managing the surplus.

According to the Department of Livestock Services, the poultry industry in Joypurhat provides quality animal protein, creates jobs, and supports poverty alleviation, women's empowerment, and socioeconomic development.

Chicks from Jamalganj, Joypurhat, are primarily sold at Chawk Sutrapur, the poultry market in Bogura. Traders report that Sonali chicks were priced at Tk16 each on 21 August, Tk13 on 22 August, Tk11 on 24 August, and Tk13 on 25 August. Typically, a Sonali chick sells for over Tk25.

Although prices fluctuated, the price of each chick increased to Tk14 on 26 August. Hybrid Sonali chicks usually sell for more than Tk30, but in Bogura, they are priced below Tk20. If this trend continues, traders and hatchery owners may face substantial losses.

Joypurhat's SSB Poultry Complex and Hatchery produces over 1 lakh Sonali chicks each week. Manager Anwar Hossain Babu said they are currently selling chicks for Tk11-12 each. 

He explained, "We have no choice but to continue, as the eggs are also produced by us. We can't stop production despite the losses because many employees rely on this work. We need to keep the farm running to ensure our survival."

The downturn in the chick market is also hitting wholesale traders hard. Shakil Ahmed, owner of Bogura Poultry and Hatchery, said, "We sell at least 70,000 chicks daily. Due to the political situation, chick prices have fallen, causing a loss of Tk9 lakh on 5 August alone. The recent floods in eastern Bangladesh have worsened the situation."

Shakil Ahmed also noted, "Bogura is the largest commercial hub for Sonali chicks from Joypurhat, with daily transactions between Tk1 and 1.5 crore. Our high-quality chicks are distributed across the country." 

He added, "We need a stable business environment, as many entrepreneurs are struggling with losses."

Taufiqul Islam, a young entrepreneur in Bogura's chick-selling business, warned, "If the situation continues, farmers, hatcheries, and entrepreneurs will all face severe losses."

He pointed out, "Sudden losses have already bankrupted many entrepreneurs, and large businesses are defaulting on loans. Many hatchery owners in Bogura have had to shut down their operations due to ongoing losses. If chick prices stabilise, those still in business might survive." 

eggs / poultry / markets / Prices

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Representational image. File photo: TBS
    Govt okays proposed tariff structure for Chattogram Port, rates to rise by up to 440%
  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising
  • The Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen and Sayeda Jasmin Sultana Milky, director general of Global Health Emergence  Response Wing of the foreign ministry, received the team in the airport last night (24 July). Photo: Chinese embassy/Facebook
    Chinese medical team arrives in Dhaka to treat Milestone crash victims

MOST VIEWED

  • Representational image/Reuters
    Dollar gets upward push as BB buys $10m more in auction at even higher rate
  •  ABM Khairul Haque. File Photo: Collected
    Former chief justice Khairul Haque detained
  • File photo of Bangladesh Bank. Photo: TBS
    Governor Mansur orders withdrawal of BB dress code after directive draws criticism
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Tariff talks: Bangladesh, US set for crucial virtual meeting on 29 July
  • Mehreen Ahmed speaking to media on 11 July 2025. Photo: Collected
    Court disposes of Dhaka girl's case against parents seeking 'protection from abuse'
  • Hasina and Taposh in an event in 2020. Photo: Collected
    Al Jazeera investigation: Hasina, in call with Taposh, talks using helicopter to shoot, crush protesters in July uprising

Related News

  • Can Bangladesh modernise poultry processing?
  • Farms closing daily as prices sink below costs, Poultry Association warns
  • Internet price to drop by 20% at ISP, IIG levels from July
  • Chandpur sees price jump after Eid: Veggies pricier, Hilsa unaffordable
  • Lax monitoring, hoarding send onion prices soaring in Khulna 

Features

Illustration: TBS

The future of medicine: How innovations will catalyse quantum leaps in healthcare

9h | The Big Picture
Photo: Collected

24 July: More than 1400 arrested, 3 missing coordinators found

1d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Aggrieved nation left with questions as citizens rally to help at burn institute

2d | Panorama
Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS

Mourning turns into outrage as Milestone students seek truth and justice

2d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

There are many more examples of trials of Chief Justices in the world.

7h | TBS Today
Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

Why is there a massive conflict between Thailand and Cambodia?

7h | TBS News Updates
Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

Former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque in prison

7h | TBS Today
The Nvidia Chip Deal Trades Away the United States’ AI Advantage

The Nvidia Chip Deal Trades Away the United States’ AI Advantage

7h | Videos
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net