With the arrival of Ramadan just a week away, the government has rolled out a series of measures aimed at easing the financial strain on households by offering essential food items at subsidised rates.

The initiative includes subsidised prices for rice, milk, eggs, broiler chicken, and beef, ensuring that these staple foods are more accessible to those who need them most.

Authorities have assured that these subsidised goods will be widely available through designated outlets across the country. Mobile fair-price trucks and government-run retail stores have been stocked to facilitate easy access for consumers.

Agricultural economist Dr Jahangir Alam Khan told the Daily Sun that lower and middle-income people may benefit from the initiative if the government can supply these products at a subsidised rate.

“If the government can conduct the sales programme on a large scale in Dhaka, Khulna, Chattogram and some other major cities, then consumers may benefit,” he added.

“The prices of essential goods skyrocket every Ramadan, making it difficult for us to manage. If these subsidised products are available in sufficient quantities, it will be a huge relief,” said Sohana Akter, a homemaker from Mirpur, Dhaka.

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter on Monday announced that the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock will launch a month-long mobile marketing initiative to provide milk, eggs, and meat at affordable prices during the upcoming Ramadan.

This initiative aims to ensure that the public can easily meet their demand for animal protein throughout the holy month, she said.

Under the initiative, pasteurised liquid milk will be sold at Tk80 per litre, beef at Tk650 per kg, dressed broiler chicken at Tk250 per kg, and eggs at Tk114 per dozen.

The adviser shared this information during a press conference at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock’s conference room. The event focused on the ministry’s planned activities for Ramadan as well as the progress made over the past six months.

She further said that from the first day of Ramadan until the 28th, the mobile sales initiative will operate in 25 locations across Dhaka city. Priority has been given to areas where public participation was highest during similar initiatives in previous months, ensuring better accessibility for consumers seeking affordable animal-based products.

The initiative will be launched at 10:30am on 28 February at the Siraj Mia Memorial Model School in Dhaka’s Merul Badda ahead of the month of fasting, according to Fisheries and Livestock Advisor Farida Akhter.

“In addition to Dhaka city, the Department of Livestock Services, in coordination with the district administration and district livestock officers, is taking initiatives to implement the marketing programme nationwide during the holy month of Ramadan. Instructions have been given to involve marginal farmers in the marketing process under the supervision of district livestock officers to ensure the effective implementation of the initiative,” she said.

The government is planning to sell at least 60,000 eggs, 6,000 litres of pasteurised milk, 2,000 kg of dressed broiler chicken, and 2,000–2,500 kg of beef daily, Akhter said.

“Priority has been given to areas where public participation was high during the July Uprising, and arrangements have also been made to supply these products in slum areas,” she added.

The 25 designated spots in Dhaka include Abdul Gani Road near the Secretariat, Khamarbari in Farmgate, 60-Feet Road in Mirpur, Azimpur Maternity Hospital, Nayabazar in Old Dhaka, Banasree, Hazaribagh (Section), Arambagh in Motijheel, Korail Slum in Banani, and Kamrangirchar, Khilgaon (south of the railway crossing), Nakhalpara (Lucas More), Segunbagicha kitchen market, Boshila in Mohammadpur, Uttara (House Building), Rampura market, Mohammadpur (Babar Road), Kalshi in Mirpur, Jatrabari (at the entrance of Maniknagar Lane), Shahjadpur in Badda, Mirpur 10, Kalyanpur (Jhilpar), Tejgaon, Old Dhaka’s Bangabazar, and Kakrail.

Meanwhile, Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar on Monday said the government will distribute around 700,000 tonnes of rice during Ramadan.

“The distribution of rice will help significantly in controlling the price of rice. Different authorities, including the food ministry and TCB, will distribute the staple food-grain, while the deputy commissioners will supervise the overall distribution programme,” he said.

The food adviser made the comments while talking to journalists after addressing a session of the DC conference on the second day of the 3-day event at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.

He said under the food-friendly programme, the food ministry will distribute 300,000 tonnes of rice in the next two months on the occasion of Ramadan.

A total of 5 million families will receive rice during the March-April period, with each family receiving 30kg of rice at a cost of Tk15 per kg, said the adviser.

Apart from this, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will distribute a total of 100,000 tonnes of rice (50,000 tonnes each month), during March and April.

The food ministry will also distribute another 100,000 tonnes of rice in the next two months under the open market sale (OMS), with 50,000 tonnes in each month.

Additionally, one crore families will receive rice free of cost during the Eid festival, and as per the plan, each family will get 10 kg of rice.

Consumers have welcomed the initiative, though some remain concerned about availability and supply consistency.
Despite the government’s efforts, market analysts warn that unscrupulous traders may still manipulate prices, creating an artificial shortage. Strict monitoring measures have been put in place to prevent hoarding and ensure that subsidies reach those who need them most.

As the month progresses, the success of this initiative will depend on its execution and the cooperation of both consumers and retailers. If effectively implemented, it could provide significant respite to families struggling with the high cost of living during Ramadan.