Poultry Sector in Crisis: Broiler Chick Prices Plummet as Farmers Abandon Business

Bangladesh’s poultry industry is facing a severe crisis as broiler chicken prices drop below production costs, forcing many marginal farmers to halt operations. The oversupply of broiler chickens has caused a record-breaking fall in the price of one-day-old chicks, now selling at just Tk 5 despite production costs around Tk 45. Farmers, especially in districts like Kishoreganj, are reporting heavy losses and shutting down sheds out of fear of further decline. Industry leaders say the market dynamics—not a syndicate—are to blame, and warn that if the trend continues, hatcheries may close, leading to a shortage of poultry products. Stakeholders call for a better understanding of the supply-demand cycle and support for struggling farmers.