Over the past six months, the cost of several essential commodities has climbed across Dhaka’s markets, with eggs, a range of vegetables and several varieties of fish recording notable price increases.
Chicken prices have also edged up, while beef has remained largely stable. Prices of the same products, however, continue to vary by as much as Tk10 to Tk20 per kg from one market to another.
A visit to several markets in the capital on Friday, comparing current prices with those six months ago, revealed the changes.
Vegetable prices were relatively lower six months ago due to an abundant supply of winter produce. With the change of season, however, prices of several vegetables have increased.
Long eggplants are currently selling for Tk70 per kg and round varieties for Tk100, compared with Tk60 to Tk80 in early March. Depending on the variety, prices have risen by Tk20 to Tk30.
The price of bitter gourd, however, has declined slightly to Tk80 per kg from around Tk100 in March. Yardlong beans are also selling for Tk80 per kg, though their prices were lower six months ago when winter vegetables were more widely available.
Hybrid cucumbers are being sold at Tk50 to Tk60 per kg, while locally grown varieties cost Tk80 to Tk100. In March, hybrid cucumbers were priced at Tk40 to Tk50 per kg.
Tomatoes have recorded one of the sharpest increases, now selling for Tk120 to Tk140 per kg, compared with Tk30 to Tk40 in March.
Early-season beans are being sold at Tk180 to Tk200 per kg, while pointed gourd, okra and teasel gourd are priced at Tk60 to Tk80 per kg, all higher than six months ago.
Papaya prices have remained largely unchanged at around Tk40 per kg. Green chilli prices, however, have risen to Tk160 per kg, up from Tk120 last week and Tk80 to Tk100 in late March.
Prices of leafy vegetables also vary. Red amaranth and water spinach are being sold at Tk20 a bunch, stem amaranth for Tk30 to Tk40, Malabar spinach for Tk30 to Tk50, bottle gourd leaves for Tk40 to Tk60 and taro leaves for Tk25 to Tk30 a bunch.
Market insiders said vegetable prices generally fluctuate depending on seasonal supply.
Eggs rise by up to Tk50 a dozen
Egg prices have also risen sharply over the past six months. A dozen eggs now cost around Tk150, while four eggs are selling for Tk50. Retail prices are even higher in some markets.
In March, a dozen eggs sold for Tk110 to Tk120, meaning prices have increased by around Tk45 to Tk50 over the six-month period.
Egg seller Masum said farm eggs were now selling at Tk50 for four, adding that prices had continued to rise with no immediate sign of easing.
Chicken prices edge higher
Broiler chicken is currently selling for Tk190 per kg, while Sonali chicken costs Tk320. In March, broiler chicken sold for Tk170 to Tk180 per kg, while Sonali chicken was priced at around Tk300.
Beef prices, meanwhile, have seen little change, remaining at around Tk800 per kg, roughly the same as six months ago.
Fish prices also increase
Prices of several varieties of fish have risen over the past six months.
Tilapia is now being sold at Tk250 to Tk260 per kg, up from Tk200 to Tk230 in March. Pangas costs Tk230 to Tk250, compared with Tk180 to Tk220 six months ago.
Rui and katla are currently being sold at Tk400 to Tk450 per kg. In March, rui prices ranged from Tk300 to Tk400, depending on size. Medium-sized rui, however, remains at Tk300 to Tk350 per kg, largely unchanged from six months ago, while larger rui costs Tk450 to Tk500.
Prawns are selling for Tk1,000 to Tk1,300 per kg, higher than six months ago, although prices vary significantly depending on size and quality. Pabda is selling for Tk400 to Tk450 per kg, largely unchanged, while tengra costs around Tk700 per kg.
Other varieties include bhetki at Tk400 to Tk550 per kg, mrigel at Tk250 to Tk300, baim at Tk600 to Tk800 and indigenous koi at Tk700 to Tk800. Farmed koi is being sold at Tk300 per kg, while poa costs Tk260 and shol Tk700, with both remaining close to their prices six months ago.
Pomfret, river bailla and other high-demand indigenous fish are selling for more than Tk1,000 per kg.
Manjurul Islam, a fish seller at Ray Saheb Bazar, said fish prices had risen over the past six months and continued to increase.
He said prices depended on size, quality, whether the fish was sold live or dead, and supply, with the same fish varying by Tk10 to Tk20 per kg between markets.
Consumers remain under pressure
Consumers said rising prices continued to squeeze low- and middle-income households.
Ababil Kabir, a shopper at Narinda Bazar, said the market situation had changed significantly over the past six months.
“Six months ago, Tk500 could buy several essential items, but that is no longer possible,” he said, adding that the cost of rice, lentils and other necessities had also increased.
Another shopper, Abu Daud, said prices of most vegetables had increased, with consumers paying at least Tk10 more for some items.
“Few vegetables are now available for less than Tk80 a kg. Tomatoes, eggplants and bitter gourds cost more than Tk100,” he said.
He added that for people earning Tk500 to Tk600 a day, deciding whether to buy fish, vegetables or rice had become increasingly difficult.
Overall, the biggest price changes over the past six months have been recorded in eggs and several seasonal vegetables, while prices of some fish have also increased. Chicken prices have edged up, but beef prices have remained largely stable, leaving low- and middle-income consumers under continued pressure despite price stability in some essentials.
