Vegetable prices in Dhaka’s markets continue to remain volatile, with most items selling between Tk80 and Tk120 per kilogramme amid supply disruptions caused by rainfall, seasonal shortages and rising transport costs.
The sustained price hike has reduced consumers’ purchasing capacity, forcing many to cut back on essential household purchases.
Consumers said the daily rise in prices has made household budgeting increasingly difficult.
“Prices of one vegetable or another are rising almost every day. As a person with a limited income, it has become difficult to manage household expenses. I used to buy several kinds of vegetables for my family, but now I’ve had to cut back because of the cost. These days, the biggest concern at the market is deciding which items I can afford to buy less of,” said Nasima Akter, a shopper at Ray Saheb Bazar in Old Dhaka, on Friday.
Several other customers echoed similar concerns, saying that although their incomes have remained unchanged, prices of essential goods continue to rise daily, making it increasingly difficult to manage household budgets.
A visit to Ray Saheb Bazar, Kalta Bazar and Narinda Bazar on Friday showed that vegetable prices have remained elevated across markets.
Traders attributed the price hike to crop damage caused by continuous rainfall, higher transport costs and the end of the season for several vegetables, all of which have tightened supply in the wholesale market.
They added that rising prices have directly impacted consumer behaviour, with many now buying half the quantity they previously purchased. Small traders, in turn, have also reduced their procurement volumes.
Market prices showed spiny gourd and round aubergine selling at Tk120 per kilogramme, long aubergine at Tk100, local cucumber at Tk120 and hybrid cucumber at Tk100.
Pointed gourd and bitter gourd were selling at Tk80 per kilogramme, ridge gourd, snake gourd and sponge gourd at Tk100, okra at Tk60, papaya at Tk80–100 and tomatoes at Tk50–60 per kilogramme.
Bottle gourd was selling at Tk70–80 per piece, while green chillies were priced at Tk160 per kilogramme and green bananas at Tk40–50 per four pieces.
In the poultry market, broiler chicken prices remained unchanged from last week at Tk170–180 per kilogramme. Pakistani Sonali chicken was selling at Tk330–350, while local chicken was priced at Tk600–650 per kilogramme.
Fish prices also remained high, with rohu selling at Tk300–380 per kilogramme depending on size, tengra at Tk400–560, pabda at Tk350–400, mrigel at Tk220–250, pangas at Tk150–250, tilapia at Tk200–250, catla at Tk300–500, bata at Tk180–240, shing at Tk300–400 and silver carp at Tk180–260 per kilogramme.
Beef and mutton prices showed no major change. Beef was selling at Tk800 per kilogramme, while mutton was priced at Tk1,250.
Vegetable traders said the price pressure is expected to continue in the short term.
“Transport costs have increased due to higher fuel prices. On top of that, recent rainfall has damaged crops, and supply of many vegetables has declined as the season is coming to an end. Previously, we used to bring 20 kilogrammes of vegetables, but now we are bringing only 10 kilogrammes due to higher prices. Customers who once bought one kilogramme are now buying only half a kilogramme,” said Faruk Hossain, a vegetable trader at Ray Saheb Bazar.
Another trader, Abdul Karim, said wholesalers are being forced to sell at higher prices due to increased procurement costs and supply shortages.
“We are having to buy vegetables at higher prices from the wholesale market and sell them with lower profit margins. Due to the price rise, the number of customers has also fallen. Many people are now buying less than they actually need,” he said.
Traders expect prices may ease once new seasonal vegetable supplies enter the market, but for now, high costs continue to squeeze consumers.
A shopper at Narinda Bazar, Rafiqul Islam, said weekly grocery shopping has become increasingly difficult under current prices, with many households forced to reduce quantities despite unchanged income levels.