Dhaka, Oct 18 : Bangladesh's National Board of Revenue (NBR) Thursday drastically cut import duty on eggs from 25 percent to 5 percent to help rein in prices.

The egg import duty cut would reduce import costs of eggs by 13.8 takas per dozen, making the country's cheapest source of protein affordable for the commoners, the NBR said in a statement after issuing an order in this regard.

The reduced import tax for eggs will be valid until December 31 this year, reports Xinhua news agency.

Recently, Bangladeshi people reportedly cut short consumption of eggs as prices soared to 200 taka a dozen over the last week in the capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the country.

Bangladesh has a daily demand for 40 million eggs, the country's Ministry of Commerce estimates. ($1 equals about 120 taka)

Earlier this month, Bangladesh had reduced import duty on refined sugar to improve its supply in the market.

/IANS