Eggs, long considered the cheapest and most accessible source of protein for millions of Bangladeshis, are rapidly becoming unaffordable as prices continue to surge across the country, putting mounting pressure on low- and middle-income families.
Consumers, nutritionists and market analysts warn that the sharp rise in egg prices is not only straining household budgets but also threatening the nutritional intake of millions, particularly children and the elderly who rely heavily on eggs as a daily protein source.
A visit to several kitchen markets in the capital found eggs selling at Tk 150 per dozen in most retail shops, while prices in some areas have climbed to Tk 160. Just a month ago, a dozen eggs were sold for Tk 110 to Tk 120, marking an increase of nearly Tk 50 within weeks.
Market analysts say egg prices usually witness a seasonal increase during the monsoon due to higher demand, but this year's hike has been unusually steep and rapid.
The latest surge has revived allegations of market manipulation by large producers and trader syndicates.
Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) President Suman Howlader alleged that corporate companies and their appointed traders have formed syndicates to artificially inflate egg prices.
He claimed that the syndicates were working with traders at Tejgaon's wholesale egg market to control prices through coordinated communication.
"Regardless of the actual purchase price, associations involved in the egg trade are destabilising the market by fixing prices over mobile phone communication," he said.
He also alleged that traders stockpiled large quantities of eggs when prices were lower last month and are now making excessive profits by selling them at inflated rates.
Similar allegations surfaced in 2022 and again in May 2024 when egg prices rose sharply, prompting government agencies to conduct investigations and market monitoring drives.
At that time, a report by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) found that several large egg-producing farms manipulated prices through commission agents and controlled auction processes to inflate prices artificially.
Despite the current high retail prices, poultry farmers at the grassroots level say they are not benefiting from the market surge.
Nurul Amin, a poultry farmer from Kalihati in Tangail, said wholesalers from Tejgaon were offering Tk 10.80 per egg through mobile messages, but buyers were unwilling to purchase eggs even at Tk 10.30 each.
"Traders are not buying eggs. A large number of eggs remain unsold at my farm," he said.
Industry insiders say rising production costs are another major reason behind the price hike.
Poultry farmers say the costs of feed, medicine, electricity and transportation have increased sharply due to inflation and higher import costs linked to currency depreciation. Many small and medium farms have reportedly reduced production or shut down operations, affecting overall supply.
"We are not making unusual profits," said a poultry farm owner from Gazipur. "Feed prices have increased dramatically. Soybean meal, maize and other imported ingredients have become expensive. Production costs are much higher now."
Consumer rights activists, however, argue that weak market oversight has allowed middlemen and syndicates to manipulate the market.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) President AHM Shafiquzzaman criticised the government's response, saying ordinary consumers were suffering badly because of rising egg prices.
"The government is doing almost nothing regarding this issue. We have not seen any effective market monitoring activities by the consumer rights authority or the Ministry of Commerce," he said.
Despite the instability, egg production in Bangladesh has continued to grow steadily over the years.
According to official data, the country produced more than 24.40 billion eggs in the last fiscal year (2024-25), compared to 11.91 billion eggs in 2015-16. Currently, around 40 million eggs are produced daily nationwide.
Bangladesh Egg Producers Association President Md Tahir Ahmed Siddiqui said the country requires between 35 million and 40 million eggs daily to meet domestic demand.
"A major portion of the supply comes from farms located across the country," he said.
Several large companies dominate commercial egg production in Bangladesh, including Kazi Farms, CP Bangladesh, Paragon Poultry, Diamond Egg, North Egg, Aftab Agro, People's Poultry and Nabil Agro.
Market insiders say unless stronger monitoring measures are introduced to curb manipulation and stabilise supply chains, egg prices may continue to remain high, adding further pressure on consumers already struggling with rising living costs.
