Lack of coordination among the state-run agencies seems to have encouraging the kitchen market syndicate to line their own pockets by selling eggs and chickens at high rates, defying the prices fixed by the government.
Market insiders say that the syndicate is active but the authorities concerned do not find the existence of the syndicate. Asked about the syndicate, officials concerned declined to make any comment about the issue.
Instead of taking action against the syndicate, they shift the blame onto others. As a result, the vested quarter pockets about 6.5 crore per day by selling eggs at higher rates.
The government on Sunday fixed the prices of egg and chicken at production, wholesale and retail levels to control the market.
The price of each egg was Tk 10.58 at production level, Tk 11.01 at wholesale level and Tk 11.87 at retail level while broiler chicken price was set at Tk 168.91 at production level, wholesale level at Tk 172.61 and consumer level at Tk 179.59.
The price of sonali chicken price was fixed at Tk 260.78 at production level, Tk 264.57 at wholesale and Tk 269.64 at consumer level.
Against the backdrop, a dozen of egg was being sold at Tk 165 to
Tk 170 while varieties of broiler and sonali chicken sold at Tk 190 and Tk 280 per kg respectively on Thursday.
Egg market insiders say that the country has a demand for four crore eggs every day.
Chicken traders say that the country has a demand for 3,500 tonnes of chicken per day.
About Tk 4 crore is being taken away every day by selling chickens, they claim.
Asked about the high price of eggs and chickens, officials of department of Livestock said they have just fixed the prices.
The Ministry of Commerce and Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection are in charge of market monitoring, they told the Bangladesh Post.
Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection deputy director Atia Sultana said, “We are constantly monitoring the market. If eggs and chickens are sold beyond the prices fixed by the government, action will be taken against those involved in unholy practice.”
Traders at different kitchen markets said that broiler chickens are being sold at Tk 190 per kg in the market, which was Tk 170 a few days ago. Sonali chicken is being sold for Tk 280-290, which was Tk 260 earlier.
Manik Mia, a private jobholder said that, “We had high hopes for the new government. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina government, we thought that the prices of goods will gradually decrease. But we don’t see any sign of it. Rather, prices of essential items are going up.”