Prices of vegetables, fish, eggs and poultry were found to be fluctuating or remaining high during visits to several markets in Dhaka on Friday.
Last week, green chilies were selling at Tk120 per kg but now cost Tk160, up Tk40. Long beans have also risen from Tk80 to Tk120 per kg.
Round eggplants have increased from Tk120 to Tk140 per kg, while long eggplants remain unchanged at Tk100 per kg.
French beans are selling at Tk220-230 per kg, compared with Tk180-200 previously, marking an increase of Tk20-30.
Cucumber prices have also risen from Tk50-60 to Tk80 per kg, up Tk20-30. Tomato prices, however, have fallen from Tk120-140 to Tk100 per kg, down Tk20-40. Carrots remain unchanged at Tk80 per kg.
Papaya prices have fallen by Tk10 per kg, from Tk40 last week to Tk30.
Ridge gourd and bitter gourd remain at Tk80 per kg. Pointed gourd is also selling at Tk80 per kg, unchanged from last week’s lowest price of Tk80, when it sold for Tk80-120.
Ridge gourd, sponge gourd and snake gourd are also selling at Tk80 per kg, unchanged from last week.
Nazrul Islam, a vegetable seller at Ray Saheb Bazar, said: “Vegetable prices do not remain the same every day. Retail prices fluctuate depending on supply at the wholesale market and purchase prices. Prices rise when supply is low and fall for some vegetables when supply increases.”
Rafiqul, a buyer at Narinda Bazar, said: “Vegetable prices have not yet become fully affordable. Although prices of some vegetables have fallen slightly, many are still being sold at higher prices than before. Buying several types of vegetables at once increases the total cost, making it difficult to shop within a limited budget.”
Fish selling at previous prices
Farmed pangash is selling at Tk230 per kg and tilapia at Tk260. Depending on quality, shrimp costs Tk800-900 per kg, pabda Tk350-450, large rohu Tk450-500 and tengra Tk700.
Bhettki is selling at Tk400-550 per kg, mrigel at Tk250-300, baim at Tk700-800, local koi at Tk600-800, farmed koi at Tk260, poa at Tk260 and shol at Tk700.
Farmed shing fish is selling at Tk300-450 depending on size, while medium-sized rohu costs Tk270-350.
Consumers have to pay more than Tk1,000 to buy rupchanda, shol and river bele fish.
Jewel Sheikh, a fish seller at Ray Saheb Bazar, said: “Fish prices are high at the wholesale market, so we also have to buy at higher prices. There are also transportation and other costs. As the purchase price is high, it is not possible to reduce retail prices. The fish market has remained at almost the same level for several weeks.”
Md Nur Nabi, a buyer at Dhupkhola Bazar, said: “There has been no significant reduction in the prices of fish, chicken or meat. These products have been selling at almost the same prices for several days. Chicken and meat prices are also unchanged, so there is little relief when shopping.”
Chicken and egg prices remain high
Farm chicken and eggs are being sold at relatively high prices in the market. On Thursday, broiler chicken was selling at Tk190-200 per kg, which is Tk20 higher than the price around 1.5 months ago.
A dozen brown farm eggs currently cost Tk150. White eggs are available for Tk10 less. Eggs were being sold at almost the same price 1.5 months ago.
The previous day, Sonali chicken was selling at Tk340-360 per kg, while hybrid or color-bred Sonali chicken was priced at Tk300-330 per kg. The latter price has also remained unchanged over the past 1-2 weeks.
Chicken prices usually fluctuate over a week or month depending on supply. This time, however, broiler prices have remained at almost the same level for around 1.5 months.
Sohel Sheikh, an egg seller at Ray Saheb Bazar, said: “Egg prices have remained almost unchanged for several days. Wholesale prices are not falling much, so we cannot sell them at lower prices in the retail market. Customers are also complaining about prices, but we also have to buy eggs at higher prices.”
Mahid Hasan, a buyer purchasing chicken at Narinda Bazar, said: “Chicken prices are still the same as before. Buying chicken according to the needs of the family still costs a considerable amount of money. A slight reduction in prices would provide relief for ordinary consumers like us.”
Sellers said that over the past 5-6 months, flooding, excessive rainfall and heat have reduced the number of laying hens and broiler chickens at many farms. As a result, supply shortages are keeping egg and chicken prices from falling.