‘WhatsApp syndicate’ controls where and at what price eggs are sold, while authorities remain silent

Staff Reporter

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The common man is gasping for breath in the fish and meat market. In such a situation, it is natural to expect that there will be an opportunity to meet the demand for meat by relying on eggs at least. But when the prices of one product after another are increasing in the market for daily necessities, the price of eggs has now also reached 55 taka per kilogram.

This means that a buyer has to pay 160 to 165 taka to buy a dozen eggs. Eggs, which were once called the ‘meat of the poor’, are now gradually becoming beyond the purchasing power of the common man.

The question arises, what is the reason for such a sudden increase in prices in the egg market? Is there a natural cause behind this, or is there an active invisible syndicate? Let’s investigate the reason behind this unusual increase in prices in the egg market.

Eggs have gone beyond the reach of the common man

There are many low-income families in the capital, whose families survive on the income of the sole earner. For a person working for a daily wage of 600 taka, where it is difficult to meet daily household expenses, buying fish and meat is very much like a luxury. .

Eggs are supposed to be a relatively accessible source of protein for such families, but the price of those eggs is now creating additional pressure.

In various markets in the capital, farm-raised white eggs are being sold at a price of 140 to 145 taka per dozen. On the other hand, brown eggs are priced at 145 to 150 taka per dozen. However, in the neighborhood retail stores, one has to buy a single egg for 55 taka. Accordingly, the price of a dozen eggs stands at 165 taka.

According to data from the government agency Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), egg prices have increased by more than 3 percent in just one month. This increase in egg prices has continued for the past two months.

However, no effective major steps are yet visible to reduce its impact on the common people.

WhatsApp syndicate is controlling the market

But what is the reason for the sudden increase in egg prices? Retailers say that wholesalers are increasing the price of eggs at their own discretion. According to a retailer in Karwan Bazar, even though wholesalers reduce the price for two days, they increase it for three days.

However, the investigation has uncovered deeper information about the control of the egg market.

According to the investigation, big traders in Dhaka have the ultimate control over the egg market. The prices at which eggs will be sold in different regions of the country are communicated to traders through WhatsApp messages.

Research has revealed that traders in different parts of the country have to buy and sell eggs based on WhatsApp messages that are set by large retailers or corporate farms.

On the other hand, some egg sellers are blaming increased demand for the price increase.

According to them, as vegetable prices have increased, people are now buying more eggs as an alternative. As a result, prices have increased along with the increase in demand.

Some people claim that the supply of eggs from farms in various regions, including Tangail, has decreased slightly.

However, consumer rights organizations have a different view. They say that the main reason behind the increase in egg prices is the excessive profit motive of some unscrupulous traders.

According to them, the issue of price increases through market manipulation needs to be investigated.

Syndicate also controls Chittagong market

The impact of the rising egg prices is not limited to the capital. Similar price increases are also being seen in the egg market in the port city of Chittagong. A few days ago, a dozen eggs were sold for 140 to 150 taka, but now the price has increased to 160 to 165 taka.

According to traders in Chittagong’s Bahaddarhat and Agrabad Chowmuhani markets, the price of eggs had increased due to rain a few days ago.

However, there is now another major reason behind the price increase.

According to the Department of Livestock, more than 6,000 poultry farms in Chittagong were damaged in the devastating floods of last July. Among the affected farms are layer chicken farms that produce eggs.

As a result, the local supply of eggs in Chittagong has significantly decreased. It is alleged that a class of unscrupulous traders have taken advantage of this supply shortage caused by the floods to create an artificial crisis and use it to increase the price of eggs manifold.

SM Nazer Hossain, Chittagong division president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), expressed his anger over this situation.

He said that unscrupulous traders are manipulating different products at different times. Strict action needs to be taken against such traders so that eggs do not disappear from the food list of the poor.

The administration’s silence is a mystery

Such an unusual price increase in the egg market is not a new phenomenon. Earlier, in September and October 2024, the price of eggs had increased from 160 to 165 taka per dozen. At that time, when there was a strong reaction across the country, the Ministry of Commerce fixed the retail price of eggs at 11 taka and 87 paisa, i.e. 142 taka per dozen.

But after the market remained stable at the set price for a few days, there are allegations that no one is paying that price anymore. There are also allegations that those who previously raised prices in the market through syndicates have become active again.

In this situation, the question arises, what is the role of the administration?

Atia Sultana, director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, said the department is monitoring the market daily. In addition, it is also investigating whether there is any kind of manipulation in the egg market.

However, despite the talk of regular market supervision, the question is now coming to the fore as to why the common people are not getting its benefits.

Consumers’ questions: If the price of eggs does not reach the set level despite ongoing campaigns and monitoring, then where is the effectiveness? Why should the pressure of repeated market manipulation ultimately fall on the hard-working people?

Eggs, as one of the most important sources of nutrition, play an important role in the diet of the common people. Especially for low-income people, eggs are considered a relatively affordable source of protein compared to fish and meat.

If the price of eggs increases like this, there is a risk that it will affect the food and nutrition of low-income people.

Therefore, it is important to identify the real reasons for the price increase in the egg market and keep the supply system normal, rather than limiting it to temporary raids or fines. It is also necessary to effectively monitor whether any unscrupulous groups are creating an artificial crisis in the market.

Unless regular market supervision and adequate supply are ensured, the crisis created in the kitchens of ordinary people due to the high price of eggs will not be easily resolved.