National
Egg Prices Soar Amidst Market Mismanagement Concerns
The price of broiler chicken eggs in markets around the capital city of Bangladesh has experienced a rapid increase, reaching Tk 170-180 (equivalent to Tk 14-15 per piece) per dozen within just one week. Additionally, local chicken eggs have been observed selling for Tk 220-230 per dozen in some city areas.
Market experts and individuals involved in the egg industry attribute this drastic price instability to mismanagement within the market. According to Alam, the president of the Baridhara Notun Bazar Owners Association, recurring price hikes are due to supply mismanagement and a lack of proper oversight, which have led to an unpredictable market environment. He emphasized the importance of identifying the root causes behind these frequent price surges and stressed the need for effective intervention by relevant agencies.
Nadeem, a customer at Gulshan kitchen market, echoed concerns about weak market monitoring systems, allowing traders to frequently increase prices. He called upon relevant authorities to take robust measures to address this issue.
The Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA), representing local egg and chicken producers, has urged for coordinated efforts in market management to ensure fair pricing. BPA President Sumon Hawlader highlighted the necessity of strengthening market monitoring and adjusting egg and chicken prices reasonably, considering production costs. Hawlader emphasized that such measures are crucial to stabilize market conditions and prevent syndicates from causing price instability.
Recent data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) revealed a significant 10 percent increase in the price of broiler chicken eggs to Tk 140-150 per dozen within a week, compared to the previous week’s prices.
The Bangladesh Egg Producers Association reported that the country requires between 35 and 40 million eggs per day to meet consumer demand, with the majority being sourced domestically. Over the past decade, the nation’s egg production has more than doubled, increasing from 1.017 billion eggs in 2013–14 to 2.338 billion eggs in 2022–23, according to the Department of Livestock.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim indicated that the cost of egg production exceeds Tk 10.50 per egg, and considering other costs and profits, he suggested that egg prices should not surpass Tk 12. He stated that if proper pricing is maintained at this level, both producers and consumers would benefit, and necessary action would be taken against attempts to manipulate prices under the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009.
In light of the market instability, the government is contemplating importing eggs to restore stability. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi mentioned that the Commerce Ministry’s decision to import eggs would require cooperation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
In response, the Livestock Minister noted that the matter of egg imports would be approached differently. He emphasized that ensuring efficient market management could potentially eliminate the need for imports, given the current egg production rate in the country.
Regarding price regulation, the commerce minister highlighted that if the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock determines market prices for eggs, the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection would conduct inspections to ensure price control. To address the volatile egg market, the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection has already initiated inspections of various warehouses in the capital and imposed fines as necessary.
National
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, a distinguished academic from the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh (NUB). The Ministry of Education confirmed the appointment through an official notification issued on Sunday (23 November), signed by Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on behalf of the President.
The notice states that, with the approval of the Honorable President and Chancellor, Professor Rahman will serve a four-year term as Vice-Chancellor under Section 31(1) of the Private University Act, 2010. He will receive all salary, allowances, and benefits as determined by the university, and his duties will commence immediately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Professor Rahman has an outstanding academic background. He secured First Class First in his Honors degree from the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department, achieving record-breaking marks. He completed his MBA with dual majors in Finance and Marketing at Dalhousie University in Canada, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He later earned his Master’s degree (First Class Second) and PhD from the same department at the University of Dhaka.
During his illustrious 35-year career, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka for three years and was elected to both the Syndicate and Senate of the university. He also served as Dean at Daffodil International University and has taught as an adjunct professor at North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Professor Rahman has an extensive body of research, with over 35 publications, including four international papers and three research monographs. Several MPhil and PhD scholars have completed their degrees under his supervision. He also served for many years as Vice President of the Dhaka University Marketing Alumni Association.
Outside academia, he has contributed significantly to the corporate sector and educational governance. He has worked as an independent director and strategic adviser to various reputed organizations and has served on the governing bodies of several well-known colleges in Dhaka. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the North South Society.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
