Heatwave killing 1 lakh chickens a day in BD: Poultry Assoc

Poultry birds

Dhaka, Apr 25 - The intense heatwave is wracking  havoc for the poultry industry, and around one lakh chickens, worth Tk20 crore, are reportedly dying every day in the country, according to  Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA).

“If the situation continues, a severe supply shortage could hit the poultry and egg market within a month,” said Md Sumon Howlader, president of BPA in a statement on Thursday.

The association has called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for support to tackle the crisis.

The association said there is a crisis of chicks, which has caused a price hike with farmers now having to buy chicks, which have a production cost of Tk28-30, at a price of Tk80-90 per piece.

As a result of the ongoing heatwave that started after Eid, around one lakh chickens worth Tk20 crore are dying every day due to heatstroke across the country.

Under these dire conditions, egg and chicken production has declined significantly, ranging from 4 to 10 percent, said BPA statement.

The statement claimed that in the last 10-12 days, over 10 lakh broiler, layer, and Sonali chickens have died in the country. Broiler chicken alone accounts for 80 percent of the casualty.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, corporate egg chicken suppliers and Tejgaon-based egg syndicates will create a shortage of eggs and chickens in the market, the Association said.

From June, they will start increasing the prices. From August to October the price of eggs and chicken will increase drastically, according to the statement of BPA. - UNB