Broiler chicken prices, which had been rising for several days, rose once more on the day before Eid. In various parts of the capital broilers touched Tk 200 a kg, meaning prices rose by up to 82 per cent during Ramadan. Before Ramadan broilers had fallen to Tk 110 a kg.

Traders say demand for broilers has risen because of Eid while supply has fallen. Because of the coronavirus, many farm owners have not restarted production, so the number of birds on farms has dropped, and many farms have even closed. That has pushed prices up.

They say demand for broilers is high now because of Eid but will not last after it. Fearing losses, a section of farm owners is not going for large-scale production; they are producing on a limited scale and holding on to the market. For that reason, broiler prices may not fall even when demand drops after Eid.

Visits to various Dhaka markets on Sunday found broilers selling at Tk 180 to 200 a kg, against Tk 170 to 180 the previous day, a rise of up to Tk 20 a kg in one day.

Although broiler prices rose, prices of red layer and Pakistani cock chickens were unchanged. Red layers sold as before at Tk 210 to 220 a kg, and Pakistani cocks at Tk 230 to 240.

Mithu, who sells broilers from a van in Khilgaon at Tk 200 a kg, said: "Yesterday I sold at Tk 180 a kg. Today at the wholesale market I found the price up by Tk 20 a kg. I had to raise my price because I bought at a higher rate."

He said Eid was behind the rise. With Eid tomorrow, there were comparatively few birds at the wholesale market today, and farms have also had fewer birds for several days, so prices keep rising. "But we think prices will ease a little after Eid, because demand will fall then."

Khilgaon trader Azizur Rahman said: "Our chickens were bought two days ago. We are selling at the old price, Tk 180 a kg. Demand will be low for a few days after Eid, so we have not brought in new birds. We will bring more once we understand the market."

He said the main Eid sales were already over and sales today were low, with only occasional customers. Because broilers are expensive, some customers are buying red layers instead, but those who prefer broiler meat are still buying broilers despite the higher price.

Babu, who sells broilers at Tk 190 a kg in Malibagh Hajipara, said: "All the chickens I brought earlier sold out yesterday. With Eid tomorrow I brought only a few today, but sales are slow. It looks as if some will be left over, though with luck they may sell by the afternoon."

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.