Over 10,000 Poultry Farms Shut Down in Six Months

Staff Correspondent

Marginal poultry farmers in the country have incurred losses of nearly Tk 2,000 crore in the last six months. During this period, more than 10,000 farms have shut down, according to the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA).

This information was revealed at a press conference held today, July 7, Monday, at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

To address the crisis, the association demanded the formation of a Tk 1,000 crore fund to sustain affected egg and chicken farmers. Additionally, entrepreneurs called for fair policies on corporate companies’ own production and contract farming, as well as the establishment of a Poultry Development Board.

BPA President Sumon Hawlader said, “The country’s poultry market is controlled by syndicates. They manipulate prices as they wish. When chicken or egg prices rise, the government makes a fuss and tries to regulate in various ways. But when prices fall, leaving marginal farmers in losses, the government remains asleep.”

He added, “Consumers are happy now because chicken and egg prices are low. But our question is—is this relief truly beneficial, or will it become a source of future distress? Marginal farmers are losing their capital, labor, and dreams. The average production cost of broiler chicken is Tk 150-160 per kg, but farmers are forced to sell at Tk 110-120. For Sonali chicken, the production cost is Tk 230-250 per kg, but it sells for Tk 180-200 at the farm level. The production cost of an egg is Tk 10, but farmers sell it for Tk 6-8.”

He further stated, “Daily broiler, Sonali, and layer production in the country stands at 5,200 tons, while egg production is 40-45 million pieces per day. Marginal farmers produce 3,000 tons of chicken and 30 million eggs daily. With an average loss of Tk 30 per kg, daily losses amount to Tk 9 crore for chicken and Tk 6 crore for eggs (at Tk 2 loss per egg). Combined, marginal farmers lose Tk 15 crore daily. Over the last six months, their total losses exceed Tk 2,000 crore.”

Sumon Hawlader said, “The main reason behind these losses is the disparity between production costs of corporate and contract farming operations versus marginal farmers, which syndicates exploit. Even when farmers sell at lower prices, consumers still pay higher rates. If this continues, marginal farmers will cease to exist.”

“Unfortunately, hundreds of farms are closing daily. Over the past six months, more than 10,000 small and medium farms have shut down. A farm closure doesn’t just mean reduced production—it means a family loses income, a youth becomes unemployed, and a household drowns in debt. Many farmers are mentally broken; some have even gone bankrupt. This situation cannot continue,” he added.

During the press conference, BPA presented a 10-point demand:

1. Conduct a national poultry census and create a digital database.
2. Provide entrepreneur ID cards to all dealers and poultry farmers.
3. Ensure marginal farmers’ representation in registrations, trade licenses, training, and government policy meetings.
4. Offer all forms of government policy support and collateral-free low-interest loans for marginal farmers.
5. Ensure transparency and control in feed, vaccine, and medicine prices, and establish government-run feed mills and hatcheries.
6. Expand modern technology, training, lab facilities, and cold storage at district and upazila levels.
7. Implement a smart market management system to ensure fair pricing and market access, including entry into dressed markets.
8. Promote safe and eco-friendly poultry production and explore export opportunities to earn foreign currency.
9. Introduce stimulus packages and subsidies for marginal farmers during crises like market crashes.
10. Formulate a fair contract farming policy and establish a National Poultry Development Board.

BPA Vice President Bappi Kumar De, General Secretary Elias Khondkar, Organizing Secretary Iqbal Hossain, Office Secretary Mezbabul Haque Marufi, and Joint General Secretary Kawsar Ahmed, among others, were present at the press conference.