Persistent rainfall and flooding across the country have sent the prices of essential commodities soaring in Dhaka, squeezing already strained household budgets and deepening the hardship for low- and middle-income families.
After visiting several markets in the capital on Friday, it was found that beef prices remained stable, the prices of fish, eggs, onions, green chillies and most vegetables had risen sharply, with many selling at around Tk100 per kilogram or more.
Traders blamed the price hike on supply disruptions caused by heavy rains and floods, which have affected the production and transportation of agricultural produce and fish. They said higher wholesale prices, rising transport costs and reduced output in flood-hit areas had pushed up retail prices.
Market visits showed that the prices of most fish varieties had increased by Tk20-30 per kilogram over the past week. Pangas, often regarded as an affordable fish, was selling at Tk230 per kg, while telapia was priced at Tk260. Rui is being sold at Tk300-450 per kg, pabda at Tk350-400, shrimp at Tk800-900, tengra at Tk700, native koi at Tk700-800 and shoal at Tk700. Prices of vetki, mrigel, baim, shing and poa also increased.
Sea fish prices remained significantly higher. Anwar Hossain, a fish trader at Dhupkhola Market, said hilsa was selling for Tk1,600-3,200 per kg depending on size and quality, while pomfret was priced at Tk1,200-1,300, red coral at Tk1,000-1,200, tuna at Tk850-1,000 and surma at Tk700 per kg. Prices may vary slightly from market to market, he added.
Meanwhile, the price of green chillies climbed to Tk400 per kilogram, up by around Tk100 from a week earlier
Lal Mia, a vegetable vendor at Narinda Kitchen Market, said retail prices of green chilies had jumped sharply over the past week as wholesale rates continued to rise.
"Last week, I sold green chilies at Tk 280–300 per kg. Now, wholesale prices have increased significantly, forcing us to sell them at Tk 400 per kg," he said.
He attributed the price hike to prolonged rainfall, which has inundated vegetable fields across several parts of the country, disrupting supply.
"Most vegetable fields have gone under water due to the rains, resulting in lower market supplies. Consequently, the prices of almost all vegetables, except a few, have increased," he added.
The onion market has also turned volatile. Locally produced onions, which were selling for Tk 40–45 per kg about one and a half to two weeks ago, are now retailing at Tk 55–65 per kg, depending on quality.
Enamul Haque, a vendor at Raysaheb Bazar said, "Onions that we were selling for Tk 40 per kg are now retailing at Tk 60 or even more because wholesale prices have risen unexpectedly."
There has been little respite in the vegetable market, with most produce now selling at around Tk 100 per kg or higher. Long eggplants are priced at Tk 120–150 per kg, round eggplants Tk 180, white eggplants Tk 140, bitter gourds Tk 120–140, yardlong beans Tk 110–130, snake gourds Tk 90–100, and taro corms Tk 80–100 per kg. However, prices of sponge gourds and pointed gourds have eased slightly to Tk 60–80 per kg.
Egg prices have also increased over the past week. Farm eggs are now selling at Tk 145–155 per dozen, up from Tk 135–140 a week earlier. In contrast, broiler chicken prices have remained relatively stable at Tk 180–190 per kg, while Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk 330–340 per kg.
Beef prices have remained unchanged, with beef retailing at Tk 750–800 per kg and mutton at Tk 1,100–1,200 per kg.
Consumers said persistent rainfall, flooding and supply disruptions have driven up the prices of essential commodities, placing additional pressure on low- and middle-income households already struggling with rising living costs.
Md Jahangir Alam, a rickshaw puller, said a significant portion of his daily earnings now goes toward buying food.
"A large share of my daily income is spent at the market. I used to buy fish once or twice a week, but now I struggle to make ends meet even after buying eggs and vegetables. When a basic item like green chili costs Tk 400 per kg, it becomes extremely difficult for people like us," he said.
Nasrin Akter, a shopper at Dhupkhola Market, said the simultaneous increase in the prices of green chilies, eggs, onions and vegetables had further strained household budgets.
"Just a few days ago, I bought a dozen eggs for Tk 135–140. Now I have to pay around Tk 150. Every trip to the market forces us to revise our budget. These prices are becoming increasingly difficult for ordinary families to bear," she said.