Am I supposed to produce eggs using a machine? Salehuddin asks at Dhaka market

Due to floods, excessive rainfall, and other factors, egg production has decreased, and the production of some other goods, including vegetables, has been damaged, he says

Amid the relentless surge in the prices of everyday essentials, the interim government’s Commerce Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed, during his visit to the Karwan Bazar, posed a sharp and unexpected question to the gathered journalists: "Am I supposed to produce eggs using a machine?"

As egg prices leap to staggering heights, wholesale markets have halted sales altogether, forcing frustrated consumers to leave retail stores empty-handed.

One determined journalist, eager for answers, confronted the advisor with the burning question of the hour: "Why has this egg crisis come to a boil?"

In response, Salehuddin said, "You don't see any egg supply... there are none. Eggs, your... four and a half, five crore (50 million) eggs are produced. Now, am I supposed to make eggs with a machine?"

On Monday evening, the advisor visited Karwan Bazar to inspect the prices of commodities, including rice, pulses, chicken, and edible oil. During the visit, it was revealed that the wholesale sale of eggs had stopped.

On Sept 15, the Department of Agricultural Marketing set the maximum 'fair price' for eggs at the farm, wholesale, and retail levels.

However, traders claim that they are unable to buy eggs from farms at the set retail price. But because they are selling at prices higher than the 'fixed' rates, they are being fined.

In protest at these fines, wholesale markets in Tejgaon near Karwan Bazar had stopped selling eggs since Sunday. Eggs were also unavailable in wholesale markets in Chattogram, raising concerns about egg availability at retail.

Since the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, inflation had remained in the double digits for almost two consecutive years, making life difficult for people. After the fall of the Awami League government amid intense public protests, there were widespread hopes that market conditions would become more manageable.

However, this has not been the case. Instead, egg and vegetable prices have become a shock. Even imports from India have not impacted the egg market, with prices reaching Tk 60 per dozen, and finding vegetables for less than Tk 100 per kg, apart from papaya, has become difficult.

Advisor Salehuddin explained, "Due to floods, excessive rainfall, and other factors, egg production has decreased, and the production of some other goods, including vegetables, has been damaged. As a result, there has been some supply chain disruption, leading to a slight increase in prices for these goods."

While visiting Karwan Bazar, the trade advisor also spoke with traders, in addition to reviewing the prices of essential commodities.

At the market, Advisor Salehuddin inquired with vendors about the supply situation of essential goods. He also urged traders to ensure they earn a "reasonable" profit.

Visiting Messrs Rifat General Store, he asked for the prices of several products and checked whether the price list was properly displayed.

Abdul Jabbar, a seller at Himu Traders, informed the advisor that the millers were "withholding goods," creating a supply shortage.

“As long as the mills withhold the goods, we have to pay demurrage. If they don't release the products for seven days, it costs us Tk 14,000 in demurrage,” Jabbar explained.

Later, speaking to journalists, Salehuddin said, "The price difference between producers, wholesalers, and retailers is being monitored by the task force to ensure it remains at a 'reasonable' level. Anyone attempting to make excessive profits or exploiting the situation by raising prices will be dealt with strictly."

Commerce Secretary Md Selim Uddin and Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate Mohammad Alim Akhtar Khan were also present during the visit.