Unusual Price Hike: Govt to import eggs if needed

The government would import eggs if price of the affordable source of animal protein keeps an upward trend, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said yesterday.

"If needed, the import of eggs will be allowed in coordination with the fisheries and livestock ministry," he said while talking to reporters after a programme organised by Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) at Mohammadpur Town Hall in the city.

The minister's remarks came at a time when egg price rose substantially over the last week, piling further pressure on consumers who are already facing tough times due to the high cost of living crisis in Bangladesh.

Yesterday, retailers in Dhaka were selling 12 brown eggs for Tk 160 to Tk 170 while it was Tk 125 for the same number the week before.

Tipu Munshi said if the livestock ministry fixed the retail prices of egg, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection would drive to rein in the price.

The DNCRP already started raiding various warehouses in the capital and is imposing fines.

He said the commerce ministry can't import eggs if it wants. "To do so, permission of the fisheries and livestock ministry will be required. There is no scope to import eggs without their cooperation."

He said initiatives will be taken to import eggs immediately after getting the go-ahead from the livestock ministry.

Meanwhile, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim yesterday said it is now up to the commerce ministry whether it would consider importing eggs on its own.If the market could be streamlined with domestic production, then may be there is no need for import, he said after a meeting on the egg price at the Secretariat.

He opined the price of an egg should not be more than Tk 12.