The prices of fishes and vegetables have shot up in the kitchen markets of Khulna after the Eid holidays, dealing a blow to people belonging middle- and low-income groups.
Consumers alleged that every year after Eid traders sell vegetables and fishes at higher prices.
Despite enough supply, the prices have gone up, said some consumers who came to New Market in the city five days after Eid to buy vegetables and fishes.
However, vegetable traders in different markets said that there is a shortage of vegetables.
In the city markets, pointed gourd, eggplant, okra, bitter gourd, papaya, colocasia stem and different spinaches are selling between Tk50-60 per kg, while potatoes, carrots, green chilies and cucumbers between Tk100-150 per kg.
Ilish are selling between Tk1,000-Tk1,500 per kg while prawns and lobsters at Tk700-Tk1,200 per kg.
Ilish trader Joynal said they collect fish from Khulna New Market. Ilish supply is low on the wholesale market as many fishermen did not go to the sea during Eid. “So the prices seem a bit high.”
Besides, rohita, katla, pangasea, tilapia, bhetki, puti and tengra are selling between Tk200-600 per kg.
Imran, a buyer who came to Rupsha kitchen market, said he came to buy fishes and vegetables after getting bored of eating meat since Eid and found the price of fishes very high. “Every year after Eid the market becomes unstable.”
Sheikh Palash Hossain, president of the local wholesale traders' association, said the prices of vegetables usually increase post-Eid, which is normal. Besides, the supply of vegetables in the market is less due to the Eid holidays, he said.
“The prices of vegetables and fishes go up as their demand increases after Eid,” he added.
