June 6, 2012

Bangladesh removes ban on salt, egg imports temporarily

In preparation for the Ramadan, the ninth month on Islamic calendar when Muslims fast, the Bangladesh government Monday (June 4) removed all restrictions on the import of eggs and salt until June 30, and to rest the soaring prices of the items, said a commerce ministry official.

The price of eggs increased by 51.06% to BDT36 (US$0.44) for four pieces from BDT24 (US$0.29) a year ago, according to data from Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.

Salt production this year of 1.16 million tonnes, against the production target at 1.45 million tonnes, was way short of the 1.43 million tonnes the country consumes, sector leaders said.

"Between now and June 30, businessmen can import any quantity of eggs without permission from the commerce ministry," the official said.

"They have to certify, though, that the eggs originated from avian influenza-free countries."

"The industries ministry recommended we allow imports of 200,000 tonnes of salt," the official added.

Daily demand for eggs across the country is 20 million while the production of all kinds of eggs in the country is 10 million a day, according to data from Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association.

"Our industries will be sufferers, but we have little to do as we cannot produce the required number of eggs," said M.M. Khan, secretary general of the association.

However, if the prices of these two items come down by June 30 the government might not continue with the withdrawal, the official of the commerce ministry said.