Commercial egg prices have dropped sharply in recent weeks as increased production has pushed supply well beyond demand, leaving farmers across Rajshahi and surrounding districts counting losses.
On December 4, farmers in Rajshahi sold white eggs at Tk7.10 each and brown eggs at Tk8.10 — rates producers say are at least Tk 1 lower than production cost.
Zearul Islam, 32, a farmer from Kolipur in Godagari, said prices typically fall during winter, “but this year the drop is too steep for us to survive.”
Zearul, who runs a farm with 6,500 hens producing about 5,300 eggs daily, said prices fell by Tk1 per egg since October. “I incurred Tk 50,000 in losses in November alone,” he added.
He said more farms and higher production, along with abundant winter vegetables and local fish, have reduced consumer demand for eggs.
Sujon Ali, 26, a layer farmer from Dohachhi in Godagari with 2,200 hens, said his farm’s production rate is above 90%, but he is forced to sell white eggs at Tk7 each, against a production cost of Tk8.
“If this price continues, we will have to spend from our own pockets to keep the farms running,” he said.
Mohammad Asaduzzaman, 27, a new farmer in Afi Nepalpara, Poba, said he produces around 1,250 eggs a day from 1,300 hens. “I am happy with my production, but I am unsure how long I can continue if the price remains this low,” he said.
Traders echoed the concern. Mizanur Rahman, manager of Rocky Traders in Poba, said they buy around 55,000 eggs daily to supply wholesale markets in various districts. “Demand has declined in many markets, and farmers are suffering due to the lower prices,” he said.
Joynal Abedin, a trader and poultry farmer in the same area, buys over 150,000 eggs daily to supply across the region. “We are struggling to sell eggs. I have already halved production at my own farm to 15,000. Many small farmers may not survive in this market,” he warned.
Kazi Zahin Hasan, director of Kazi Farms, said egg prices reflect supply and demand conditions. “High prices over the last few years encouraged farmers to increase production,” he said.
He noted the absence of accurate data on national output, particularly eggs laid by backyard poultry. “However, we estimate commercial farms are now producing over 52 million eggs per day. At this time last year, the figure was about 35 million. The current low prices clearly indicate that supply exceeds demand.”
Responding to allegations of price manipulation, he said: “Some government officials claim a cartel controls egg prices. But if there were a cartel capable of controlling prices, why would it let prices fall? With thousands of farmers selling eggs daily, this is a competitive market.”
Asrar Chowdhury, economics professor at Jahangirnagar University, said egg prices fall rapidly when supply exceeds demand because eggs are perishable. “Winter brings abundant substitutes such as vegetables. When these are reasonably priced, consumers shift for variety,” he said.
He added that the egg market is highly competitive. “It is very difficult for any group of sellers or buyers to influence this market. Market forces, the availability of substitutes, and perishability have combined to push prices down.”
