Dhaka:Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir urged egg traders to maintain market stability by avoiding unjustified price hikes, excessive profiteering, and artificial shortages. He emphasized the importance of reasonable profits throughout the supply chain, from producers to retailers, to protect consumers' interests.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks during a meeting with representatives of the egg and poultry sectors at the Ministry of Commerce. He highlighted that eggs are a staple food for ordinary people and warned against price increases that could burden low- and middle-income groups. Muktadir stressed that business practices should not involve excessive profits or supply chain disruptions.
The minister called for a long-term plan to stabilize egg prices year-round and urged a review of the price gap between producers and consumers to identify where abnormal costs or excessive profits occur. He encouraged producers, wholesalers, and retailers to enhance market transparency and efficiency.
Muktadir assured that the government aims to balance a business-friendly environment with affordable prices for essential goods. Business representatives at the meeting noted the rising production costs due to increased prices of poultry feed ingredients. They reported that the farm-level selling price of an egg rose from Tk 7.91 in January to around Tk 11.30 in September.
To address price fluctuations, traders proposed better storage facilities, tax rationalization, and control of poultry feed prices. They suggested that egg prices would stabilize within two weeks. Muktadir responded by stating that the government would consider these proposals and maintain vigilance to prevent unjustified price increases.
The government aims to ensure fair prices for producers, reasonable profits for traders, and affordable prices for consumers, with relevant agencies monitoring the market for any irregularities. Commerce Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, Additional Secretary Dr Ahmed Ullah, and Kazi Farms Limited Director Kazi Jisan Hasan were present at the meeting.