TDS Business Desk:

The interim government allowed seven companies to import 4.5 crore eggs on October 8 , but only a few eggs have arrived. Due to a government holiday for four consecutive days, the import process was interrupted and the egg import was not much, said the related institutions.

In this situation, the government has decided to import another 4.5 crore eggs to increase the supply. Permission is being given to 12 institutions in this phase. It is reported that the Ministry of Commerce will decide on the import of eggs on Thursday.

Recently, the price of eggs in the market has increased several times. At one stage, the price of farm eggs rose to Tk 180-190 per dozen in kitchen market of Dhaka. However, the price of eggs in the market has decreased slightly on Wednesday. Today, eggs are sold at 160 taka per dozen in the big markets of Dhaka and 170 taka in the local markets.

The Department of Agriculture Marketing has recently set a ‘reasonable price’ for eggs. The price of each egg is fixed at 10 taka 58 paisa at the production stage, 11 taka 01 paisa at the wholesale stage and 11 taka 87 paisa at the retail stage (142 taka 44 paisa per dozen).

The sellers say that there is a shortage of eggs in the market. That is why the price has increased. According to data from the Department of Livestock, the country has a daily demand of around five crore eggs.

Meanwhile, fearing fines, the traders of Tejgaon and other areas of the capital stopped selling eggs last Sunday and Monday. After discussions with the Consumer Affairs Department, the sale of eggs started on Tuesday night. This has reduced the price of eggs in the market on Wednesday.

Apart from this, Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission has recommended the temporary withdrawal of customs duty on the import of the product in the context of such an unusual increase in the price of eggs. In this phase, some conditions have been given for importing eggs. The first is to import eggs from avian influenza or bird flu-free countries. Secondly, each shipment of imported eggs must be submitted with an Avian Influenza or Bird Flu Virus and Harmful Bacteria Free Certificate issued by the Government of the exporting country or authorized authority. Thirdly, every consignment of egg import should be notified to the concerned quarantine officer at least 15 days in advance. Fourth, the progress report must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce after seven days after obtaining the import permit.