Flooding disrupts production of chicken, eggs

The recent flooding in the country's southeast region flooded thousands of small farms and reduced production and supply of chicken and eggs.

The losses in the poultry sector are initially estimated to be Tk 400 crore but the industry leaders believe the losses in Cumilla, Noakhali and Sylhet region will eventually be more than Tk 1,000 crore.

According to unofficial data, around 80 per cent farms were inundated by the floods in Cumilla, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Laxmipur, Habiganj and Moulvibazar districts. Some farmers in Chattogram were also affected by the floods.

During the two-week floods, the farmers witnessed their chickens dying, and eggs and feeds spoiling.  About 15,000 farmers have suffered losses in the floods and many of them are indebted to dealers, banks or other creditors. 

Abdul Quddus, a former expatriate worker of Honua, Feni Sadar, became an entrepreneur by farming broiler, layer and Sonali chickens two years ago. "The flood washed away about 5,000 of my chickens. Even poultry feed was spoiled. I have lost almost everything," he said.

Amjad Hossain, a poultry farmer of Sonagazi, Feni, said he lost 1,500 poultry birds aged 15 days, and also lost feed in the flood. "I don't know how I will overcome the losses."
Maksudur Rahman of Chandkhali village of Laxmipur sadar, started poultry farming in 2018 after leaving his job. He had increased the capacity of his farm to accommodate 3,500 birds. The amount of loss he incurred in the flood is at least Tk 300,000. 

Nooruddin Musapuri, a farmer of Companyganj, Noakhali, said some 8,000 broiler chickens at his farm had died in the flooding. "It will take at least two months to start farming and three months to supply chicken," he said. 

Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, a poultry dealer of Mirersarai, Chattogram, said his area was less affected but still around 30 per cent farms had suffered losses. 

Recently the market prices of chicken and eggs have increased.  Kazi Zahin Hasan, Director of Kazi Farms, said, "The prices of chicken and eggs are determined by supply and demand. Floods have reduced the supply and caused the market price to increase. The egg price also increased after flooding in 2023, so it is not surprising to see the same effect after flooding this year. Kazi Farms is still selling eggs at the the ceiling wholesale price declared by the Department of Agricultural Marketing. We are selling broiler chicken at a price below the government's declared ceiling price."