Price hikes hit consumers despite record egg production

World Egg Day 2026 is being observed today (Friday) across the globe, including Bangladesh, with the slogan “Protein That Powers and Protects.” The day aims to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of eggs, encourage regular consumption and dispel common misconceptions surrounding them.

While various non-governmental organisations and private associations are observing the day locally, the official government observation at the national level has been scheduled for October 13.

Data from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) shows a significant increase in national egg production over the past decade. In the 2016–17 fiscal year, annual production stood at 14.93 billion eggs, which rose to 25.09 billion in FY 2025–26 — an increase of more than 68 percent. At present, daily production exceeds 60 million eggs.

Marginal farmers contribute around 80 percent of the total supply. However, despite ensuring a steady supply of affordable protein, these smallholders face severe financial strain for much of the year, often being forced to sell their produce below the cost of production.

Industry insiders attribute the crisis to rising operational costs driven by higher prices of poultry feed, day-old chicks, medicine and fuel, as well as market distortions. Due to the involvement of middlemen and flaws in the supply chain, a wide gap persists between farm-gate and retail prices.

Currently, the production cost of an egg at the farm level is Tk 10.50 or higher, but farmers are often compelled to sell below this level.

Hafizur Rahman, a poultry farmer from Bogura Sadar, said feed costs had risen sharply over the past three weeks.

“Prices of various animal feeds have increased by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kg. A 50-kg bag of feed has gone up by up to Tk 150. Rice bran and maize have seen the steepest increases. The price of a 50-kg bag of bran rose from Tk 1,300 to Tk 1,800, while maize increased from Tk 25 to Tk 37 per kg. A 50-kg bag of poultry feed now costs up to Tk 3,675,” he said.

“Even under these conditions, we are forced to sell eggs below the cost of production because we have no say in setting prices. We are entirely dependent on the market,” he added.

In Dhaka’s retail markets, brown farm eggs are currently selling for Tk 13 or more each — about Tk 2.50 above the production cost. Yet marginal producers struggle to secure even a nominal profit margin.

According to the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA), an organisation representing marginal farmers, there are currently more than 40,000 registered and unregistered layer farms in the country, of which 20,464 are officially registered.

BPIA President Mosharaf Hossain Chowdhury said consumers often mistakenly blame farmers for rising egg prices.

“Middlemen operating between farms and consumer markets pocket Tk 2 or more per egg, inflating retail prices. The government should establish a direct supply chain so farmers can sell directly to retail markets. Additionally, since feed accounts for more than 50 percent of production costs, immediate steps must be taken to lower feed prices,” he said.

Mashiur Rahman, convener of the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC), said farmers face constant uncertainty over getting a fair return.

“While the government maintains a list of production costs, it does not set a minimum floor price for eggs. However, whenever prices rise in the market, maximum retail prices are capped. This practice deprives producers of fair compensation,” he said.