Poultry farmers protest falling egg prices, demand fair returns

Marginal poultry farmers in Bangladesh are struggling to survive as egg prices plummet below production costs. Protesters in Gazipur staged a human chain and smashed eggs on the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway, demanding fair prices and answers for their financial distress.

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An egg currently sells for about Tk 6.50, whereas it costs between Tk 8.50 and Tk 9 to produce one.

The farmers, supported by Hannan Enterprise, highlighted the stark reality of their operations. "An egg currently sells for about Tk 6.50, whereas it costs between Tk 8.50 and Tk 9 to produce one," explained farmer Hasibul Hasan Islam. This significant loss per egg makes sustaining poultry farms increasingly difficult, pushing many towards bankruptcy.

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Eggs provide nutrition, why are farmers trapped in debt?

Slogans like "Eggs provide nutrition, why are farmers trapped in debt?" and "Why have egg prices fallen? We demand answers" echoed the farmers' desperation. They pointed to escalating costs for poultry feed, medicines, and overall farm maintenance, which are not being offset by the current market rates. The situation forces small-scale farmers to operate at a substantial loss, jeopardizing their livelihoods.

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Why have egg prices fallen? We demand answers

Local authorities have yet to offer a direct solution. Sreepur Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Nahid Bhuiyan stated that no marginal poultry farmers had approached his office with their concerns. He assured that he would listen to their issues in detail if they came forward, but for now, the farmers' pleas for intervention remain largely unaddressed.

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If they come to me, I will sit with them and listen to their concerns in detail.