After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, the prices of vegetables suddenly fell. But this pleasant situation did not last more than a day or two.
On the pretext of rains and floods, the wholesalers and retailers raised the prices of perishable vegetables. Gradually, the prices of almost all commodities started to rise.
Most of the vegetables are above Tk80-100 per kg. As a result, buyers with limited income are seen as frightened to enter the kitchen markets. They are cutting back on purchases, leaving the question of who is controlling the market or whether it is under control at all.
Not only vegetables, the prices of eggs, chicken, and fish are also increasing. The prices of beef and mutton were already high. Essential products like potatoes, onions, ginger, and garlic are now out of reach.
Talking to Bangla Tribune, consumers at the Mirpur-1 kitchen market wondered why the prices would go up now with the supplies remaining almost normal and extortion on the streets vanished because of the restoration of law and order.
Unruly vegetable market
The prices of almost all vegetables increased significantly yesterday. The Indian tomato was selling at Tk170, carrot at Tk140-160, brinjal at Tk80-160, and cucumber at Tk80-100. The lowest cost vegetables were papaya at Tk40 and pumpkin at Tk60.
Green chilli prices went up to Tk320 per kg and coriander at Tk400.
Compared to last week, the price of different vegetables increased from Tk10 to Tk80.
Saddam Hossain, a retailer at the market, said the prices of vegetables have gone up in the wholesale market due to the recent flood. Earlier, goods were sold in five places, but now there are two spots. Due to high competition, many retailers are ready to pay more to get the products. This is how the prices go up.
“We also understand that customers are having problems, but what else can we do? We have to sell according to the buying price,” he said helplessly.
Eggs, chicken costlier now
Chicken red eggs are being sold at Tk160-165 and white eggs at Tk160 per dozen in various shops of the Mirpur-1 kitchen market. Besides, broiler chicken is being sold at Tk190-197, cock chicken at Tk 245-255, layer chicken at Tk290-295, and deshi chicken at Tk520 per kg.
Within a week, the traders said, the prices of eggs have increased by Tk5 per dozen due to the supply shortage.
There was also no sign of a drop in meat prices in the Mirpur-1 market, with beef still selling at Tk750 per kg and mutton at Tk1,100.
Besides, small hilsa fish of 200gm was selling at Tk500-600 while the larger sizes were at Tk1,400-2,200 per kg.
The prices of all local fish also went up. The buyers said the prices of fish in the market are too high and urged the authorities for measures to check the prices.
Meanwhile, the prices of most grocery store products are almost unchanged. Traders said there is no shortage of rice, flour, lentils, soybean oil, mustard oil, and sugar in the market.