The Impact of supply chain disruptions on the cost and availability of poultry feed in Bangladesh, and potential mitigation strategies

Abstract

The Bangladeshi poultry industry, the backbone of the nation's economy and food security, is most vulnerable with its almost total dependence on raw material import in the form of predominantly maize and soybean meal constituting over 70% of poultry feed. In the current research study, the effect of supply chain disruption on poultry feed price and availability in Bangladesh is investigated multi-dimensionally and mitigation measures are explored. Adopting a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the research combines quantitative trend analysis of price and semi-structured questionnaires with qualitative stakeholder interviews and document analysis. Evidence indicates that supply chain disruption adds an additional 30-50% or even more to the cost of feed during severe crises and feed accounts for between 60-70% of poultry production costs. Disruption leads to physical shortages, rationing, and disruptions in production cycles, most affecting small-scale farmers. The research report sets out a set of mitigation actions: alternative feedstock production (insect meal, duckweed, mustard cake); diversification of source of imports and trading bloc; domestic investment in storage and logistics; supply chain transparency; and enabling public policy. The research concludes that resilience building has to be an institutionally grounded, multi-dimensional strategy bringing together short-term buffering and long-term domestic alternative development with a vision towards a future eliminating import dependence, safeguarding this strategic sector from future vulnerabilities, and maintaining its continued contribution to national food security and economic well-being.