Most vegetables hit century mark, protein prices also up

Highlights: 

• No fish below Tk200 per kilogram
• Broiler chicken sells Tk200 per kg
• Eggs cost Tk150-160 per dozen
• Rising transport costs, seasonal declines in vegetable production blamed for price hike
• Inflated prices force consumers to constrain demand

Prices of essential commodities, particularly vegetables, in Dhaka's kitchen markets have risen sharply, adding pressure on low- and middle-income consumers.

Most vegetables are now selling above Tk100 per kilogram, while fish prices start at around Tk200 per kg. Chicken, eggs, onions and ginger have also become more expensive in recent days.

Traders blamed supply shortages, higher transportation costs and seasonal declines in production for the price surge, though the monsoon is yet to start as per the Bangla calendar.

Today (16 May), this correspondent visited Karwan Bazar, New Market and Hatirpool and found widespread frustration among shoppers, particularly low-income people.

At New Market, long brinjal was selling at Tk100 per kg, round brinjal at Tk120, cucumber at Tk100, bitter gourd at Tk100 and ridge gourd at Tk100. Snake beans, taro stems and pointed gourd were priced around Tk80 per kg, while spiny gourd and carrots reached Tk120. Green chilli prices jumped to Tk160 per kg, and bottle gourd was selling at Tk100 each. Only okra remained relatively affordable at Tk60 per kg.

Zahirul Islam, a private-sector jobholder shopping at New Market, said families were being forced to cut back on consumption.

"Vegetables below Tk100 are now hard to find. Earlier I bought one kilogram at a time, but now I can only afford half a kilogram or less," he told The Business Standard.

Vegetable vendor Tarek Hossain said prices had been rising steadily due to increased transport costs and lower supply as the season for many vegetables nears its end.

Fish prices also remained high. Pangash was selling at Tk200 per kg and telapia at Tk230. Rui cost Tk300-350, while mrigel and poa ranged between Tk250 and Tk300. Pabda, koi and shing fish were selling between Tk350 and Tk500, and baim fish reached Tk600-800 per kg.

River fish prices were even higher due to high demand, with bele selling at Tk500 and local tengra at Tk600 per kg.

Fish traders said adverse weather, lower river catches and higher transport expenses had disrupted supply and pushed up prices.

At Hatirpool market, homemaker Rowshan Akter said rising fish prices were making it difficult for ordinary people to buy fish regularly.

Hilsa prices varied by size, with fish weighing more than one kilogram selling for over Tk3,000 per kg, according to trader Sohag.

Chicken and egg prices also increased. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk200 per kg, while Sonali chicken ranged between Tk330 and Tk350. Local chicken varieties were priced between Tk700 and Tk800 per kg.

Egg prices rose sharply within a week. A dozen eggs that previously sold for Tk120 now cost Tk150. Bigger broiler eggs were selling at Tk160 per dozen.

New Market's trader Anis Mia said broiler prices had dropped briefly after Eid-ul-Fitr but later increased again due to higher demand, especially on Thursdays and Fridays because of wedding ceremonies.

Meanwhile, onion and ginger prices have also started rising in the capital's markets ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha. Over the past week, the price of local onions has increased by at least Tk10 per kilogram which is now selling at Tk45 to Tk50 per kg, compared to Tk35 to Tk40 a week earlier.

During the same period, ginger prices also rose by Tk10 to Tk20 per kg, reaching Tk170 to Tk190.

Bidyut, a retail trader at New Market, said onion prices in the wholesale market were increasing by Tk1 to Tk2 almost every day. As a result, retailers are also being forced to sell at higher prices.