As Eid approaches, the price of salad vegetables has surged past Tk100 per kilogram.
This category includes tomatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. While tomatoes and carrots had already crossed this price threshold earlier, cucumbers have now joined them, with prices increasing by Tk40 to Tk120 per kilogram within a week.
Onions, although not yet reaching Tk100 per kilogram, are nearing this mark. Over the past week, their price has risen by Tk5, with domestic onions now selling at Tk90 per kilogram.
Such prices of vegetables and other essentials were noted during a visit to a kitchen market in Dhaka’s Mirpur. There was no impact of the freshly announced budget for 2024-25 fiscal year at the kitchen markets.
While most vegetable prices have remained unchanged, notable increases have been observed in the prices of cucumbers, yardlong beans, eggplants, and gourds. These vegetables have seen price hikes ranging from Tk10 to Tk40 per kilogram.
Abul Kalam, a shopkeeper, said that tomatoes and carrots are winter vegetables and are currently out of season. That is why they fetch higher prices. The increased demand for cucumbers has also driven their price up. He said that this rise is not directly related to the upcoming Eid.
Spice prices to go downWhen asked, Shariful Islam, a customer, said that although tomatoes and carrots are traditionally winter vegetables, they are now available year-round.
He said: “Cucumbers are found all year long. Why have the prices increased? In general, the demand for salads is high during Eid. That is why the prices of salad vegetables have increased.”
Another trader Abdul said that the budget had not influenced vegetable prices. He said prices only fluctuate if there are changes in import costs.
Regarding vegetable prices, he mentioned that prices can vary daily due to their perishable nature.
Tabarak Hossain, a private sector employee, said that while the budget usually affects market prices, this year he noticed no significant changes.
Despite stable vegetable prices, potatoes, onions, and ginger have seen price increases.
Sharif, a trader, said that these price hikes were not Eid-related but had been higher for some time.
Yusuf, another trader, said that while budget-related cost reductions take time to implement, price increases happen almost immediately.
Meanwhile, broiler chicken prices have decreased, with further reductions expected.
Shahjahan, a seller, predicted that broiler chicken prices could drop to Tk160 per kilogram in the coming days.
Beef and egg prices have remained high despite the drop in chicken prices.
Beef is currently selling at Tk800 per kilogram, and eggs are being sold between Tk145 and Tk150 per dozen.
Regarding the impact of the budget, Md Sultan, a trader, said: "Since the last budget, business has started to deteriorate, and it seems this time it will be the same. Business will not be good because people don't have money. Business will only improve if people have more money to spend."
In the nut market, cashew prices have risen from Tk1,300 to Tk1,400 per kilogram, and pistachio nuts have increased from Tk2,700 to Tk2,800 per kilogram.
Salim, a seller at Salim General Store, said that only cashew prices were explicitly mentioned in the budget, but prices for all types of nuts have increased in the market.
However, he mentioned that sugar prices have decreased, and soybean oil prices have been reduced by the company due to decreased demand.
