Leaders of the Bangladesh Poultry Association, a small farmers' body, accuse big poultry companies of taking Tk 520 crore from consumers and small farmers in 15 days by raising prices.
The Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council says opportunistic middlemen profited from the sudden rise in egg and broiler prices while farmers were not to blame.
The consumer rights directorate fined two egg wholesalers in Tejgaon and a chicken shop in Karwan Bazar Tk 10,000 each after finding they set prices at will without receipts.
Farm egg prices in Cumilla have jumped to Tk 50 a hali in a week, while feed dealers say poultry feed prices have not changed, and buyers blame a syndicate.
A hali of eggs now costs Tk 54-56 in Dhaka's neighbourhood markets as higher fuel, feed and transport costs cut production and supply.
Egg output in Jhalokathi beat its target by 73 lakh last year, but rising feed prices are worrying the district's farmers.
Rising prices of chicken feed and medicine have forced thousands of Gazipur poultry farms to close, cutting egg output sharply.
The mrigal, a native bottom-dwelling carp, can yield one lakh eggs from a mature one-kilogram fish, a senior fisheries officer says.
Buyers and sellers in Barishal say most large hilsa on sale after the ban carry roe, though officials say it will not hurt production.
Boiled eggs keep for about a week in the fridge but should be eaten within a couple of hours if left unrefrigerated.
Sesame, almonds, leafy greens, okra, dates, eggs and soybean are among the foods that can help make up a calcium shortfall.
Egg prices in Bangladesh are set each morning by traders' associations in Dhaka and Rajshahi according to demand, then sent to wholesalers nationwide.
Nutritionists say a daily egg, eaten the right way, can help with a range of health problems, from anaemia to weak bones.
