Online Desk: The government has granted permission to an additional ten companies to import 50 million eggs as part of ongoing efforts to tame egg prices.

With this recent approval, a total of 35 companies have been authorised to bring in 250 million eggs from foreign countries.

This decision comes at a time when the initial 25 companies, previously allowed to import 200 million eggs, are facing challenges in executing their imports. To date, only 62,000 eggs have entered the country from India.

The prices of widely consumed eggs have seen a reduction of Tk 1 to Tk 3 in the local market. Further price reductions are anticipated once the imported shipments are introduced to the domestic market.

As per the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the retail price of an egg is currently Tk 10-11.25, slightly below the government-fixed rate of Tk 12. The country’s daily demand for eggs is estimated to be 40 million, according to the commerce ministry.

The newly authorised companies for egg imports include MA Engineering, Khairul Rice Agency, Hafsa Mart, M/S Tarafder (L) Enterprise, Save and Safety International, Patwary Enterprise, M/S Sheikh Enterprise, Hydroland Solution, M/S Mts Trading, and Rum Jum International.

On October 8, five companies were permitted to import 50 million eggs, and on September 17, four private companies were granted permission to import 40 million eggs. Subsequent permissions were given to additional companies, totalling 250 million eggs.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Senior Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh mentioned that although the government has allowed the import of 250 million eggs, only 62,000 have been imported thus far.

He attributed the delay to precautionary measures and emphasized that the government’s objective is to reduce egg prices, and imports will continue until price stabilisation is achieved.