Bangladesh was once deficient in beef, buffalo and mutton production, a major source of nutrition for the people. Although the government is now claiming that the country is self-sufficient in meat production but the price is sky high.
People think that the development of the nutritional situation is being hindered as a part of the population cannot afford this food. The meat traders association says that ordinary traders are not able to lower the price of meat due to the syndicates.
Meat prices have more than doubled in the last five years. Currently, the price of meat is excessive. They say that due to the lack of government supervision, traders have manipulated and increased the price of meat.
Farmers say the price of fodder is very high in the country. Production of grass is much less than required.
Some farmers have started commercial production of grass across the country. Abnormal increase in import-dependent animal feed prices is one of the reasons for the rise in meat prices. The decline in family-based animal husbandry at the marginal level and the farm-based system have increased the price of meat.
The traders said the increase in the price of meat is also the reason for the increase in the price of beef.
It is being said on behalf of the government that Bangladesh is self-sufficient in meat production due to various initiatives of the government. In the meantime, the government is implementing the LDDP project for various activities including construction of modern slaughterhouses, high quality grass production at district and upazila levels. Once the project is completed, the benefits will be seen in the affordable price of meat.
Meanwhile, the government is working to expand the export of various products of the livestock resource sector and to increase resources in the quality animal sector. For this, LDTP is implementing a project of Tk 5,389.92 crore.
According to sources said that the LDDP is scheduled to be implemented in 466 upazilas of 12 districts of the country (excluding three Hill Tracts districts) from 2019 to October 2025. The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock has started the implementation of a project titled "The Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP) " under the Directorate of Livestock with funding from the World Bank.
Excess production of meat from deficit According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, a persons daily meat requirement is 120 grams. With a total population of 17.17 million, the annual demand for meat and milk in the country is 7.52 million tonnes, according to the calculations of the Department of Livestock. In the last fiscal year 2021-22, the production there was 92.65 lakh tonnes. Although the production of meat in the fiscal year 2006-07 was 10.10 lakh tonnes. More than 17.45 lakh tonnes of meat is produced in the country now.
According to the latest survey of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), 28 per cent of children in the country are stunted, 10 per cent are thin and 23 per cent are underweight. However, this rate is double in tea gardens.
According to a study by the International Center for Nutrition Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B) and BRAC, Bangladesh is among the 36 countries in the world that are at risk of high levels of malnutrition. 51 per cent of children in the country are suffering from anemia. In case of mothers, this rate is 42 per cent.
In one era, meat production increased every year. Meat production in 2006-07 and 2007-08 was 10.40 lakh tonnes.
In the fiscal year 2009-10, 12.60 lakh tonnes of meat was produced. The production was 19.90 lakh tonnes in 2010-11 fiscal year, 23.30 lakh tonnes in 2011-12 fiscal year, 36.20 lakh tonnes in 2012-13 fiscal year, 45.21 lakh tonnes in 2013-14 fiscal year and 58.60 lakh tonnes in 2014-15 fiscal year. In 2020-21 fiscal year. 84.40 lakh tonnes of meat have been produced.
According to the official trading body Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), beef is being sold at Tk 700 to Tk 750 per kg. Five year ago it was Tk 350 to Tk 400 per kg. The price has increased by 50 per cent in one year. Mutton is Tk 1250 to Tk 1,300 per kg now.
Around 1990, the price of one kg of beef was Tk 50. This price is maintained for a long time. According to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), around 1995, the price of beef per kg was Tk 60. Then Tk 80 per kg of beef in 2001, Tk 100 in 2005. Then in 2006 the price was Tk 140, in 2007 it was Tk 175, in 2008 it was Tk 192, in 2009 it was Tk 218 and in 2010 it was Tk 247.
