The government yesterday approved the import of four crore eggs from India in efforts to bring stability to the volatile local egg market.
The commerce ministry gave approval to four firms to import one crore eggs each, a top ministry official told.
Sources at the ministry said that in the initial phase, the government will monitor if the market is stable after the import and take further decisions considering the market situation.
The imported eggs will be sold at Tk 12 per piece at the retail level -- the rate fixed by the government.
The imported eggs are expected to reach the market within a week after opening a Letter of Credit (LC), which should happen in a couple of days, the ministry official said.
According to the commerce ministry, the country requires four crore eggs a day.
Notably, chicken eggs were sold for 26 rupees (Tk 34.29) per four pieces in Kolkata yesterday, or Tk 8.5 per piece.
On September 14, the government fixed the price of eggs at Tk 12 per piece at the retail level amid a price hike of the essential protein source.
While making the announcement, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the government also decided to import eggs if the price on the local market does not come down.
The price cap on eggs barely made an impact on the runaway prices, as shopkeepers in the capital have not complied with the order.
At different kitchen markets across the capital, only a few shops were selling an egg for Tk 12, while most were demanding Tk 13.50.
