Prices of several daily essentials have surged in Old Dhaka markets in Ramadan, putting pressure on consumers as poultry, vegetables and lemons record sharp increases.
A visit to several kitchen markets in Old Dhaka on Friday found local chicken selling at Tk 380 per kg, cock chicken at Tk 340 per kg and farm chicken at Tk 180 per kg at Ray Saheb Bazar.
Chicken seller Khalil said prices typically increase during the fasting month.
“The cock chicken I used to sell at Tk 280 is now Tk 340–380. We have to buy at higher prices, that’s why prices have increased,” he said.
A student purchasing chicken at the market said the rising prices were making it difficult to manage expenses.
“I live in a mess and study. I have to calculate everything. When prices go up, it creates problems,” he said.
Lemon crosses Tk 100, eggplant hits triple digits
Lemon prices have crossed Tk 100 per hali (four pieces) in kitchen markets, while eggplant has reached Tk 100 per kg.
In the kitchen markets, lemons were selling at Tk 100 per hali, local onion at Tk 60 per kg, coriander leaves at Tk 80, eggplant at Tk 100 per kg, cucumber at Tk 90–100 per kg, garlic at Tk 120 per kg, potato at Tk 25 per kg, ripe tomato at Tk 60 per kg, green tomato at Tk 40 per kg and green chili at Tk 160 per kg.
Green papaya was selling at Tk 40 per kg, hyacinth beans at Tk 60 per kg, cabbage at Tk 40 per piece, cauliflower at Tk 50 per piece and ginger at Tk 150–160 per kg.
However, a notable price gap was observed between kitchen markets and footpaths. While lemons were selling at Tk 100 per hali in kitchen markets, the same quantity was available at Tk 40 per hali on footpaths.
A woman vendor selling lemons at Tk 40 per hali on the footpath adjacent to the CMM Court in Dhaka said she makes a profit of Tk 5–10 per hali.
“There’s no need to make more. I bring them from Karwan Bazar. Sometimes I also go to Shyambazar. I make less profit. There will be blessings in the month of Ramadan,” she said.
Salam, a vegetable seller at Narinda kitchen market, said prices have not increased significantly except for a few items.
“I hope the prices of the items that have increased will also come down,” he said.
Meat prices mixed, fish stable
At Ray Saheb Bazar, beef was selling at Tk 800 per kg and mutton at Tk 1,200 per kg.
A mutton seller said prices remain under control. “Even before Ramadan, I sold at Tk 1,200,” he said. However, mutton was seen selling at Tk 1,250–1,300 per kg in other markets.
A beef seller said, “Before Ramadan, I sold beef at Tk 850. Now I can sell it at Tk 800, Tk 50 less. We want to sell at lower prices. But sometimes for various reasons, when prices go up, there is nothing we can do.”
In several fish markets, small ilish was selling at Tk 650 per kg, medium at Tk 850 and large at Tk 1,550 per kg. Fish seller Hashem said prices have not increased. “This is pure Padma ilish.
Tilapia was selling at Tk 220 per kg, small ruhi at Tk 280 per kg, large ruhi at Tk 350 per kg, small pangas at Tk 200 per kg and large pangas at Tk 250 per kg.
Egg prices decline
In contrast to other essentials, egg prices have declined. Farm red eggs were selling at Tk 40 per hali and white eggs at Tk 35 per hali, compared with Tk 45–50 previously.
An egg seller said egg prices remain lower every year during Ramadan.
A buyer said, “I often buy eggs from Ray Saheb Bazar. Today I see the price is lower. A few days ago, I bought the same eggs at Tk 50 per hali, Tk 10 more. It feels good when prices are lower.”