Prices of eggs and several vegetables have increased in Dhaka markets over the past week, while fish and meat prices have remained largely stable.
A dozen eggs, which sold for Tk145-150 last week, are now priced at Tk155-160, marking a Tk10 increase. Retailers are selling individual eggs for around Tk13-14.
Among vegetables, green chilli and yardlong bean prices have risen by Tk40 per kg each to Tk160 and Tk120, respectively. Round eggplant has increased by Tk20 to Tk140 per kg, while cucumber has risen by Tk20-30 to Tk80.
However, tomato and papaya prices have fallen. Tomatoes now sell for Tk100 per kg, down from Tk120-140, while papaya has dropped from Tk40 to Tk30.
Prices of ridge gourd, bitter gourd, sponge gourd, snake gourd and pointed gourd have remained largely unchanged at around Tk80 per kg.
The situation was observed during visits to several markets in the capital on Friday.
Meanwhile, fish prices showed no major changes. Sellers said prices of some varieties fluctuate by Tk20-30 per kg from one day to another.
Pangash is selling for Tk230 per kg, telapia Tk260, shrimp Tk800-900, pabda Tk350-450, large rui Tk450-500 and tengra Tk700.
Vetki is priced at Tk400-550 per kg, mrigel Tk250-300, baim Tk600-800, local koi Tk700-800, farmed koi Tk300 and poa Tk260. Farmed shing is selling for Tk300-450 per kg depending on size, while medium-sized rui costs Tk270-350.
When asked about fish prices, Sheikh Rafiqul said, “I bought fish for the month. Prices seem Tk20-30 higher per kilogram. The fish market is never stable, with prices fluctuating almost every day.”
The price hike has put the greatest strain on low-income and limited-income households. Abul Hossain, a day labourer, said, “We used to buy pangas and telapia, but even those have become expensive. Prices are rising day by day, with no sign of coming down.”
Meanwhile, beef is being sold at Tk800 per kilogram, almost unchanged from the previous week. Broiler chicken is also being sold at Tk180-190 per kilogram, the same as last week. However, prices of Sonali, hybrid and layer chickens have fallen by around Tk10 per kilogram.
Rocky Ahmed, a chicken seller at Rayerbazar, said, “Chicken prices were slightly lower this week than last week. Still, we are selling them at Tk180-190 per kilogram.”
Egg trader Masum said, “Egg prices have not fallen; rather, they have increased. A dozen eggs are now selling for Tk155-160.”
Zahidur Rahman, a private-sector employee who came to Raysahib Bazar to shop on his weekly day off, said, “I found vegetable prices considerably higher than last week. Many vegetables that were available at lower prices last week are now more expensive. This is naturally increasing our household expenses.”
Rafiqullah Khan, a vegetable seller at Narinda Bazar, attributed the price rise to reduced supply following several days of rain.
“Several days of rain have reduced the supply of vegetables from farms and markets. Lower supply has pushed up wholesale prices, which has affected retail prices as well,” he said.
“Eggplant is currently selling at Tk140 per kilogram, the highest price in today’s market, while papaya is available at Tk30 per kilogram. If the weather improves, supply will increase and vegetable prices may come down,” he added.
