Prices of Sonali chicken in Dhaka markets dropped sharply today (24 April), offering some relief to consumers after more than a month of elevated rates, although eggs, sugar and onions became costlier.
Retail surveys across key markets, including Karwan Bazar, Shantinagar, Rampura and Badda, showed Sonali chicken selling at Tk350–360 per kg, down by nearly Tk100 from Tk430–460 earlier this month. However, prices remain well above the Tk280–320 per kg range seen at the start of March.
Traders attributed the decline to reduced bird flu-related mortality at farms.
Narsingdi-based supplier Aminul said avian influenza had wiped out 70–80% of Sonali chicken stocks at many farms in recent months. “As the death toll among poultry has eased somewhat, selling at lower prices has become possible again,” he said.
However, transport costs continue to act as a floor on prices. Karwan Bazar trader Ebadur said truck fares have risen by more than Tk3,500 per trip, making it difficult to bring retail prices back to Tk 280 per kg despite improvements at the farm level.
Broiler chicken prices also declined to Tk180–190 per kg from Tk200–220, while indigenous chicken eased to Tk700–720 per kg from Tk750–780 the previous week.
Meanwhile, egg prices rose by Tk10–20 per dozen, with a dozen now selling at Tk130–140, up from Tk120 last week.
Loose sugar climbed to Tk110–115 per kg from Tk100–105, while onion prices edged up to Tk40–45 per kg from Tk35.
Beef prices, which spiked around Eid-ul-Fitr, remain high at Tk820–850 per kg, compared to the pre-Eid norm of Tk750–800, with no sign of easing even after two months.
Hilsa prices have roughly halved since Pahela Baishakh, according to traders, but consumers remain sceptical. Rampura buyer Saidul said medium-sized hilsa is still selling at Tk1,800–2,000 per kg, up from Tk1,500 a month ago, while larger fish weighing over one kilogram are priced at Tk2,500–2,600 per kg, compared to Tk2,200 previously.
Supply of bottled edible oil has yet to normalise. Consumers said five-litre soybean oil bottles are unavailable at most shops, forcing them to buy loose oil at higher prices. They urged authorities to strengthen market monitoring to restore normal supply.
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