The arrival of early winter vegetables has brought some relief to shoppers in Dhaka, with increased supplies pushing down the prices of beans, cauliflower, cabbage and radish. However, tomatoes, green chillies, carrots and round eggplants remain expensive, while fish, meat and egg prices have largely remained unchanged.
A visit to several kitchen markets in the capital on Friday found that most fish and meat items were selling at prices similar to those of the previous week.
Beans were selling for Tk60–80 per kg, while cauliflower cost Tk40–50 apiece and cabbage Tk50–60. Radish was priced at Tk40–60 per kg. Ridge gourd, sponge gourd and taro were selling for around Tk60 per kg.
Eggplant prices ranged from Tk40 to Tk70 per kg depending on variety and size, while round eggplants cost as much as Tk120.
Among the costlier vegetables, tomatoes and green chillies were selling for Tk120 per kg, while carrots cost Tk140. Local cucumbers were priced at Tk80 per kg and hybrid varieties at Tk60.
Okra and taro stems were selling for Tk50–60 per kg, while yardlong beans, bitter gourd and spiny gourd cost Tk60–80. Bottle gourds were priced at Tk40–50 each, papaya at Tk30 and sweet pumpkins at Tk30–40. Potatoes were selling for Tk25–30 per kg.
There was little change in the fish market, with most varieties selling at prices close to last week's rates.
Depending on size, rohu was selling for Tk280–380 per kg, large tilapia and silver and grass carp for Tk180–200, and pangas for 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 for Tk800–2,300 per kg depending on size and quality. Large fish were priced as high as Tk2,600 per kg in some markets.
Meat prices also remained largely stable. Broiler chicken was selling for Tk180–190 per kg, while Sonali chicken cost Tk310–330. Beef was priced at Tk800–850 per kg and mutton at Tk1,200–1,250.
Egg prices offered little relief either, with a dozen brown eggs selling for Tk145–150 and white eggs for Tk130–135.
Mehedi, a vegetable seller at Ray Saheb Bazar, said supplies of winter vegetables had increased over the past few days, bringing down the prices of some items.
“Not all winter vegetables have arrived in sufficient quantities yet. Prices may fall further as supplies increase,” he said.
Shopper Nur Nabi said the arrival of seasonal vegetables had brought some relief, but several items remained expensive.
“Prices have come down a little, but fish, meat and eggs are still costly. People would feel much more relieved if their prices also fell,” he said.
Despite the improved supply of seasonal vegetables, high prices of fish, meat and eggs continue to put pressure on household budgets, particularly for low-income consumers.
