As households struggle to cope with rising living costs, there is little sign of relief in Dhaka's kitchen markets, where the prices of rice, vegetables, fish, eggs and poultry continue to edge higher.
After visiting several kitchen markets across Dhaka on Saturday, it was found that, except for a few varieties, almost all vegetables were selling for around Tk100 per kg, while green chilli prices had soared to Tk400 per kg.
Rice prices have also resumed their upward trend, with polao rice registering the sharpest increase. Traders said its price has jumped by Tk50–60 per kg within just a few days, adding to the burden on consumers already coping with a gas supply crisis.
According to traders, persistent rainfall and flooding in several parts of the country have submerged vegetable and chilli fields, disrupted supplies and increased transportation costs. The seasonal decline in supply during the monsoon has also contributed to higher prices of most essential commodities.
Fish prices have risen by Tk20–30 per kg over the past week. Pangas is now selling at Tk250 per kg, telapia at Tk280, rui at Tk300–450, pabda at Tk350–400, shrimp at Tk800–1,400, tengra at Tk700, indigenous koi at Tk700–800 and shoal at Tk700 per kg. Prices of bhetki, mrigel, baim, shing and poa fish have also increased.
Hilsa is being sold at Tk1,600–3,200 per kg, depending on its size and quality, while prices of sea fish have also climbed beyond the reach of many middle- and low-income consumers.
Anwar Hossain, a fish vendor at Dhupkhola Kitchen Market, said adverse weather has kept many fishing trawlers from going to sea, while supplies from different parts of the country have declined.
"Wholesale prices have increased due to lower supply, and that has inevitably pushed up retail prices," he said.
Consumers say persistently high food prices are forcing them to rethink their spending, with fish and meat becoming increasingly unaffordable.
"My children wanted to eat fish, but I was shocked by the prices at the market," said shopper Jony Sheikh. "I somehow managed to buy one fish for them. If prices keep rising, we'll have to cut back on fish and meat."
Green chilli prices have surged to Tk400 per kg across Dhaka's kitchen markets, up by around Tk100 from a week ago. Retailers are charging Tk40 for 100 grams and Tk100 for 250 grams.
Locally produced onions have also become costlier, rising by Tk15–20 per kg over the past one-and-a-half to two weeks. Depending on quality, they are now selling for Tk55–65 per kg.
Vegetable prices remain high, with long brinjal selling for Tk120–150 per kg, round brinjal Tk180, white brinjal Tk140, bitter gourd Tk120–140, yardlong beans Tk110–130, snake gourd Tk90–100 and taro corms Tk80–100 per kg. Only sponge gourd and pointed gourd offered some relief, with prices easing to Tk60–80 per kg.
Rafique, a vegetable vendor, blamed the price hike on supply shortages caused by heavy rains and flooding.
"Supplies from different parts of the country have declined during the monsoon, while waterlogging has damaged chilli fields in major producing areas. Reduced supply has pushed up prices," he said.
Sridevi Biswas, a shopper at Ray Saheb Bazar, said she had planned to buy several vegetables but returned home with only one.
"I came to buy a few vegetables, but after seeing the prices I bought only one. If this trend continues, it will become even harder for middle-income families to manage their household expenses," she said.
Egg prices have also moved up, with farm eggs now selling for Tk145–155 per dozen, compared with Tk135–140 a week ago.
Poultry prices also increased over the past day. Broiler chicken is now selling for Tk190–200 per kg, up from Tk180, while Sonali chicken has risen to Tk340–350 per kg from Tk330–340.
Robin Hasan, a university student living in a shared accommodation, said eggs and chicken had long been the most affordable protein options.
"Even those are becoming more expensive now. Managing within a limited budget is getting harder every day," he said.
While prices of coarse, medium-grade and Miniket rice have remained largely stable, polao rice has seen a sharp spike.
Coarse rice is selling for Tk58–65 per kg, medium-grade rice for Tk68–78, and Miniket and Nazirshail varieties for Tk80–95 per kg.
In contrast, polao rice, which sold for Tk120–140 per kg just a few days ago, is now priced at Tk180–200 per kg, marking an increase of Tk50–60 per kg.
Traders said the jump is the steepest increase in the rice market in recent weeks, adding to the financial strain on consumers already grappling with the rising cost of living.
