United News of Bangladesh

Prices of chicken in Dhaka have spiked by 15–20 percent within a week ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, squeezing household budgets and prompting concerns over supply disruptions and possible market manipulation. A visit to major wholesale markets including Karwan Bazar, Kaptan Bazar and Jatrabari, shows that prices of different varieties of chicken have increased by Tk 60 to Tk 120 per kg ahead of the festival. Shahzadpur’s famed cloth market bustles with Eid trade boom At the wholesale level, Pakistani cock variety Sonali chicken is now selling at Tk 330–340 per kg, while hybrid Sonali is priced at Tk 300–320. According to the Department of Agricultural Marketing, these prices were below Tk 300 at the beginning of Ramadan. In retail markets at Motijheel, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Rampura and Badda, consumers are paying even higher prices. Pakistani cock Sonali is being sold at Tk 380–400 per kg, while hybrid Sonali ranges between Tk 340–360. During the first week of Ramadan, these varieties were priced between Tk 280 and Tk 320 per kg, indicating a 15–20 percent hike within a short period. Broiler chicken, which accounts for a major share of consumer demand, has also seen a sharp increase, rising from around Tk 160 per kg just days ago to Tk 220–240. Meanwhile, local (deshi) chicken is being sold at Tk 700–720 per kg, nearing the price of beef. Traders attributed the sudden price hike to supply disruptions, particularly delays in transportation. Hafiz Uddin, a wholesaler at Kaptan Bazar, said trucks carrying chickens from outside Dhaka are taking longer to reach the capital, increasing overall costs. Retailers, however, alleged that some wholesalers have reduced supply ahead of Eid, forcing them to sell fewer chickens at higher prices. The price surge has left consumers frustrated. “How does chicken priced at Tk 280 suddenly become Tk 380? Broiler prices have also jumped from Tk 160 to Tk 230 per kg,” said Sumaiya Akter, a buyer at Rampura market. Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) accused traders of exploiting the situation by using fuel-related issues as a pretext to raise prices. CAB President AHM Shafiquzzaman said the government must strengthen market monitoring to keep prices within consumers’ reach. “Bangladesh is not facing a severe fuel crisis. Traders are using fuel rationing as an excuse to increase prices. Despite the unjustified hike, effective market monitoring is not being ensured,” he said. Expressing concern over the volatile meat market, he added that while marginal farmers are not making adequate profits, consumers are paying more, indicating the growing influence of middlemen in the supply chain. CAB urged the authorities to take effective measures to bring discipline to the market ahead of Eid.