The price of vegetables has risen abnormally in the markets of Patuakhali, like the rest of the country.
Sellers claim that the prices at the wholesale market are high, so they are forced to sell at higher prices.
However, buyers believe that due to the lack of market monitoring, prices are skyrocketing.
On Monday morning, Mohammad Al Amin, a buyer at the Alipur fish port vegetable market, expressed his frustration.
He said: "Vegetables are the food of the poor. Fish and meat have already gone beyond our reach. Now, with the rising price of vegetables, it's becoming impossible to afford them. If this continues, the hardship for ordinary people like us will increase. It is essential to bring prices back within reach."
Upon visiting the vegetable market, it was found that bottle gourd is being sold at Tk100-130 per piece, tomatoes at Tk300, bitter gourd at Tk100, yardlong beans at Tk120, bottle gourd leaves at Tk40, cabbage at Tk80, teasel gourd at Tk100, carrots at Tk200, eggplants at Tk130, coriander leaves at Tk400, green chilies at Tk600, and snake gourd at Tk80 per kilogram.
Other vegetables are also nearing the Tk100-mark. However, papaya is available at Tk30 per kilogram, and local okra is being sold at Tk70 per kilogram.
Vegetable seller Habibur Rahman Mussulli said: "The prices of various vegetables have increased depending on the type. Recently, the market for raw materials has been on the rise, and prices are not going down. The price of all leafy and regular vegetables has increased together. As a result, many customers are unhappy when they hear the prices, and some leave angrily without buying anything."
Another seller, Abdur Razzak, said: "This morning, I had to buy green bananas at Tk12 each. When I asked for Tk50 for four pieces, customers didn't want to buy them. Even with only a Tk2 profit per set, it’s hard to satisfy customers."
Wholesale trader Jasim Gazi said: "I had to buy red spinach for over Tk65, including costs, and am selling it for Tk70. I bought tomatoes at Tk270 and am selling them for Tk300. Additionally, I had to buy yardlong beans for Tk110 and carrots for Tk180, while eggplants cost Tk120 at the wholesale rate. There are hardly any sales in this uncontrollable market."
Saidul Islam, a customer, shared his experience: "I've been looking around for vegetables for half an hour. Even sweet pumpkin is Tk70 per kilogram, so I ended up buying Malabar spinach for Tk40."
He added that he has never seen such a simultaneous increase in the prices of all vegetables before, making it difficult for low-income people to buy vegetables.
Regarding the situation, Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Rabiul Islam said: "The price of vegetables has increased all over the country. However, a task force committee has been formed to control the market. We will ensure that no one can charge excessive prices."