Chicken and egg prices have increased in markets across Barishal, with traders and poultry farmers blaming load-shedding for the rise.
Visits to Rupatoli, Chowmatha, Nathullabad and Bangla Bazar areas today (8 May) found broiler chicken selling at Tk190 per kg, up by Tk20 from two weeks ago. Eggs were being sold at Tk48 to Tk50 per hali, while Sonali chicken prices remained unchanged.
Grocer Jasim Uddin from Notun Bazar said eggs were selling at Tk40 per hali around 15 days ago. Last week, the price rose to Tk45, and yesterday it increased further to Tk48-50. He said wholesalers had raised prices by Tk1 per egg.
Chicken seller Sohel from Rupatoli said load-shedding disrupted poultry farms and reduced supply. He said broiler chicken was sold at Tk170 per kg two weeks ago but now costs Tk190. According to him, farmers cited higher poultry feed prices during load-shedding.
Farmer Masum Gazi from Kashipur said severe load-shedding two weeks ago caused the death of more than 50 broiler chickens on his farm. He said feed prices had also increased. Although he is still selling broiler chicken at Tk150 per kg, he said layer chicken prices rose by Tk10-15 per kg due to lower egg production, while egg prices increased by Tk1 per piece.
Another farm owner, Hasib Mia, said many layer chickens lost weight during load-shedding and stopped laying eggs. He said nearly half of his chickens were no longer producing eggs.
College teacher Masudur Rahman said the government had failed to control the market and traders were increasing prices without proper reasons.
National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate Deputy Director Apurba Adhikari said action would be taken if complaints were received from consumers.
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