A duck egg market meets every Tuesday at Adarshanagar in Mohanganj upazila, Netrokona. About 8-10 lakh (800,000 to 1 million) eggs change hands in a day, and local traders put the turnover at nearly Tk 1 crore each market day.
From dawn, farmers and traders from Madan, Khaliajuri, Mohanganj and neighbouring Sunamganj bring in the eggs collected over the week. Packed in crates, they leave by truck before evening for wholesale markets at Tejgaon, Khilgaon and Khilkhet in Dhaka. Seller Halik Khan says the organised market gets farmers a fair price.
District Department of Livestock Services figures show 1,076 commercial duck farms in Netrokona, with about 49,788 households or small farmers keeping ducks. They produce about 41.7 crore eggs a year, with an estimated market value of Tk 562.95 crore.
The trade carries risks. Wholesaler Jamal Hossain says buyers must manage collection from remote wetlands, labour costs and breakage on long journeys. Higher transport costs or price swings cut margins, though steady year-round demand keeps the business going.
District Livestock Officer Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam says haor waters give ducks natural food and good conditions. Lower feed costs, faster transport and a cold chain would let the sector grow many times over, he said.
Reported by Mirza Hridoy Sagar, Netrokona.
Source: Ekattor TV
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