AgribusinessThe Indian Rice Exporters' Federation says competition from ethanol distilleries and poultry-feed makers is driving up broken rice prices, raising the risk of export restrictions like the 2022 ban.
LivestockProducing an egg now costs Kurigram's 275 poultry farms Tk 8.5 to 9 while it sells for Tk 9 to 9.5; farmers want feed and medicine prices controlled and farm electricity billed at the agricultural rate.
LivestockBroiler chicken costs Tk 190 a kg and brown eggs Tk 155 a dozen in Dhaka, but farm-gate prices are Tk 134 and Tk 102; with feed and medicine costs rising, small poultry farmers are losing money.
LivestockWith maize, de-oiled rice bran and soybean meal up 20-27%, poultry and livestock feed rose from about Tk 68 to as much as Tk 72.50 a kilo; a 50kg bag now costs up to Tk 3,675 and small farms are cutting flocks.
AgribusinessOn World Egg Day, poultry farmers say they are selling below cost as feed, bran and maize prices rise, while middlemen take Tk 2 or more on every egg between farm and market.
Lalmohan's poultry farmers say feed and medicine costs have risen, egg prices are unfair and no livestock officer has advised them in 15 years; the upazila livestock officer admits staff shortages.
LivestockA Penn State study of 320 broilers fed an antibiotic, essential oils, a probiotic or nothing found that antibiotic-resistance genes in the gut changed mainly with the birds' age, not with the additive.
LivestockMeeting the poultry sector at the Secretariat, commerce minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir warned against excess profit and artificial shortages; traders said feed costs have pushed the cost of an egg to about Tk 11 and prices should ease within two weeks.
Prices of maize, de-oiled rice bran, rice bran, mustard cake and soybean meal have all risen within a month, pushing up poultry feed; farmers who cannot cover costs are cutting rations and production.
In a market where 150 registered companies make about 7.5 million tonnes of commercial feed a year, DLS acting DG Md Shahjaman Khan told the FIAB-USSEC seminar that raids had identified 117 illegal producers of poor-quality feed.
Kazi Farms has halted its feed mill in Boda, Panchagarh, after a crowd broke in, vandalised and looted the plant on Tuesday, injuring three workers; the company says feed supply to about 3.5 million (35 lakh) of its chickens in northern Bangladesh could be disrupted.
The consumer rights directorate has threatened action against price manipulation in eggs and chicken, while poultry entrepreneurs say heat has cut egg output and prices should ease within two weeks.
LivestockGovernment guidance in Bangladesh says eight to ten quail fit in the space of one chicken; adults eat 20 to 25 grams of feed a day and start laying at six to seven weeks.
