In an effort to keep the prices of eggs stable, the government on Monday approved import of 40 million eggs, said Secretary to the Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh.

“The government will regularly monitor the market to check the price of eggs and if no improvement is seen then approval will be given to import more eggs,”he said while talking to reporters at the secretariat.

Last month, the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry fixed the price of eggs at Tk12 per piece at retail level.

But the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) during the drive found that the traders are not selling eggs at the government fixed price, he said.

So, the government gave approval to four companies to import 40 million eggs and each company can import 10 million eggs, said Tapan.

Replying to a question, from where the eggs will be imported, the secretary said they can import eggs from any country where the price is low.

Asked whether there is any condition in importing eggs, he said there is no condition but the price of eggs should not be more than Tk12.

“Bangladesh needs 40 million eggs in a day for its consumers and we have given approval of import for one day. I don’t think it will affect the local market or the farmers much,” said Tapan.

Earlier, on August 13, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said the government will allow the import of eggs after consultation with the Fisheries and Livestock Ministry if the price of eggs does not come down.

As the price of eggs soars abnormally the members of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection are conducting drives in different wholesale markets in the city and realizing fines.

According to the Bangladesh Egg Producers Association, the country requires between 35 and 40 million eggs per day to meet demand. And the majority of the eggs are sourced from domestic producers.