Hit by tight supply, egg prices have jumped to Tk. 9.5 from Tk. 8 in retail markets over the last week in most parts of the country. A dozen eggs now cost around Tk. 114–120 in the kitchen markets and super shops across the capital.

Egg traders blame the electricity price hike and rain for the soaring prices of the protein-rich food. These two factors have been responsible for a fall in production and supply chain disruption.

This trend would continue in the coming months as egg production is likely to fall by 25–30 per cent this year, say the traders.

Talking to The Independent, Tahir Ahmed, president of the Bangladesh Egg Producers’ Association (BEPA), yesterday said the supply chain disruption had been caused by the flooding of a number of poultry farms across the country due to heavy rainfall.

“In the rainy season, the supply chain usually gets disrupted. Chickens become vulnerable to various diseases at this time of the year,” he explained.

Ahmed also said that the ongoing student-led protest and the subsequent strikes called by transport workers were affecting the egg supply chain. “Besides, high prices of vegetables and fishes also play a role in jakcing up the demand for eggs,” he added.

According to the BEPA president, Dhaka requires about three crore eggs a day, whereas the average supply of eggs per day during the rainy season is not more than 2.5 crore. “So, with the increasing demand rises the price,” he said.

Ahmed also said the current production cost of egg was Tk. 5-5.5 per piece and the wholesale price was Tk. 6–6.5. Many poultry farms reduced their production for the current year because they did not get good rates last year, he added.

Last December, egg prices at the wholesale level were below Tk. 4.5 per piece in view of the high domestic output, while the cost of production had stood at Tk. 5 per piece, he said.

Owing to the losses last year and apprehensive of getting lower rates again, many poultry farmers cut their production. Some even shut their farms, Ahmed explained.

“From the current market scenario, we estimate that the annual production of eggs will be 25–30 per cent less this year,” he said.