Winter has yet to fully set in in Dhaka, but consumers are already facing high prices for vegetables and other essential food items, with little relief in the markets for fish, meat and eggs.
Vegetable prices usually begin to fall as winter approaches and supplies of seasonal produce increase. However, the expected decline is yet to materialise, leaving consumers struggling to manage their daily expenses.
The situation was observed during visits to several kitchen markets in the capital on Friday.
Vendors said supplies of winter vegetables remained limited as the season had not fully begun. Prices may ease in the coming weeks as more seasonal produce reaches the markets.
A market survey found that new potatoes were selling at Tk140-160 per kg, while old potatoes cost Tk30. Green chillies were priced at Tk120 per kg, round eggplants at Tk100, long eggplants at Tk60-80, bitter gourds at Tk80-100, beans at Tk80-120 depending on variety, cucumbers at Tk100 and carrots at Tk100.
Cauliflowers were selling at Tk50-80 per kg, depending on size. Ridge gourds, pointed gourds, snake gourds, okra and radishes were priced at Tk60 per kg.
Fish prices remain high
Fish prices also remained largely unchanged, with most varieties selling at elevated rates.
Rohu was selling at Tk280-380 per kg, large tilapia at Tk180-200, silver carp and grass carp at Tk180-200, and pangas at Tk160-250.
Katla was priced at Tk350-380 per kg, farmed koi at Tk200-220 and pabda at Tk380-420.
Ilish remained beyond the reach of many consumers, selling at Tk800-2,300 per kg, while larger fish cost more than Tk2,600 per kg.
Egg and meat prices offer little relief
A dozen brown eggs were selling at Tk145-150, while white eggs cost Tk130-135, adding to consumers' daily expenses.
Meat prices also remained largely unchanged from the previous week. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk170-190 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk240-330.
Beef was priced at Tk800-850 per kg, while mutton cost Tk1,200-1,250.
Sijan Rahman, a vegetable seller at Dhupkhola market, said supplies of fresh winter vegetables were still limited.
"Prices will fall once new vegetables start arriving in the markets. They may come down somewhat after another week. When several varieties of the same vegetable become available, it is a sign that prices are starting to fall," he said.
Sheikh Nayeem, who was shopping at Sutrapur market, said high prices had made it difficult for ordinary consumers to buy vegetables and fish.
"I cannot afford to buy many vegetables because of their high prices. It will become difficult to run a household if things continue like this," he said.
He added that he eventually left the fish market without buying anything because of the high prices.
"Fish that used to cost Tk800 now cannot be found even for Tk1,200. If the prices of essential commodities continue to rise like this, it will become increasingly difficult for ordinary people to manage their households," he said.
