Poultry units in Bangladesh suffer huge loss for pricey feed

Published 11 May,2021 via The Financial Express - Poultry farmers in five upazilas of the district are incurring huge loss for the last few months as the price of feed is higher and egg price is lower than its production cost.

Farm owners are very much frustrated about their loan money and other operating costs. Some of them have already closed their farms after selling the poultry birds.

After visiting some poultry farms in Sadar upazila of the district, this correspondent came to know that poultry farmers are incurring heavy losses.

Dr Anukul Chandra Roy (VS), a veterinary surgeon, started a poultry farm in Khuniagach union of Sadar upazila in 2018.

In last three years, he has invested nearly Tk 3 million in his farm.

He took a loan from Shimanto Bank for his business. But in the last few months he has incurred massive loss due to the prevailing pandemic situation; as restaurants have remained closed across the country causing subsequent reduction in egg consumption.

Moreover, the cost of poultry feed has increased abnormally in recent time.

If the normal situation continues, the demand of egg increases, he said.

Egg remains a common food item on the menu in every family and restaurants across the country. But the pandemic situation badly affected the poultry sectors.

At present there are four thousand birds at Dr Anukul's firm. Most of the birds are egg-laying.

But he has already sold 500 birds as the price of feed has increased.The price of one 50 kg sack of feed was Tk 1,870 but now it is Tk 1,925.

Production of each egg costs Tk 6.0 but it sells Tk 5.70. Dr Anukul alleged that a giant poultry bird company fixes the rate of egg every day.

As a result, the price of egg is under their control. They do not think about the small farms.

A good number of poultry farms have already winded up their business in the district after facing huge losses.

Ashshina Roy of Noyarhat area under Sadar upazila closed his farm a few months ago failing to endure loss.

Monjurul Alam, president of Lalmonirhat District Poultry Farm Owners Association, said thanks to the Covid-19 induced lockdown, consumption of poultry birds and eggs has marked a sharp fall.

Due to the ongoing lockdown, restaurants remain closed and egg supply does not go out the district town. Many small farms in the district have been closed as well.

Moreover, the price of feed is higher presently as the prices of imported protein and raw materials have increased. Dr Anukul has called upon the government to look into the matter.

When asked, Dr Jahangir Alam, district livestock officer (DLO), said, "Due to the pandemic situation, we have set up mobile shops to sell eggs and chicken in every upazila to support the poultry farm owners."

"In each upazila, wee are providing support to sell egg and chicken through pickup-van and easy-bike from April 10 in association with our ministry," he added.

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