Prices of daily essentials remain high in Dhaka despite the arrival of some winter vegetables, leaving low-income households struggling to manage their expenses.
Vegetables are still selling for more than Tk100 per kg in some markets. Although egg prices have fallen slightly, fish and chicken remain expensive. Vendors expect prices of some vegetables to ease as supplies increase in the coming days.
The situation was observed during visits to Dhupkhola, Sutrapur and other markets in the capital on Friday.
Most vegetables remain expensive
Tomatoes were selling at Tk160 per kg, carrots at Tk100-120, long eggplants at Tk80, white round eggplants at Tk100 and black round eggplants at Tk140.
Beans cost Tk120-140 per kg, local cucumbers Tk100, bitter gourds and teasel gourds Tk80, pointed gourds Tk60-80, snake gourds and ridge gourds Tk70-80, and yardlong beans Tk70.
Taro stems were selling at Tk80 per kg, radishes at Tk60, taro roots at Tk70, green chillies at Tk140, papayas at Tk30 and sweet pumpkins at Tk50. Bottle gourds cost Tk60-70 each, ash gourds Tk60 and cauliflowers Tk70-80.
Egg prices ease, chicken remains costly
Broiler chicken was selling at Tk180-190 per kg and cock chicken at Tk310-330. A dozen brown eggs cost Tk140-145, while white eggs were priced at Tk130.
Egg seller Nazmul Hossain said prices had dropped by around Tk10 per dozen over the past few days.
“Hopefully, prices will fall further in the coming days. Overall, the market may offer some relief soon,” he said.
Fish prices remain high
Rui was selling at Tk350-600 per kg and katla at Tk300-550. Shrimp cost Tk800-1,600 per kg, pabda cost Tk400-600 and tengra Tk600-1,000. Tilapia was priced at Tk230 per kg and pangas at Tk220.
Vendor Abdul Matin said wholesale supplies had improved slightly, adding that prices could fall as winter vegetables became more widely available. However, transportation costs and additional charges often pushed up retail prices, he said.
Shopper Rafiqullah Rehman said rising living costs had made it increasingly difficult to run a household on a limited income.
“There is no balance between income and expenses. Keeping protein on the plate has become a luxury. Although the prices of one or two vegetables have fallen, there is no overall relief in the market. Broiler chicken, tilapia and pangas are also expensive,” he said.