Prices of fish and meat rose another notch as the country observed Shab-e-Barat.
A few markets in the capital on Friday morning saw the price of fish and meat has increased by Tk20 to Tk50 per kg within a week.
Besides, the prices of all the vegetables in demand in summer have also increased. On the other hand, the number of buyers was relatively less during the holidays since the prices of everything has increased.
Beef is currently being sold at Tk750 to Tk800 per kg in the market which was Tk700 to Tk710 last week.
Besides, the price of goat meat has increased from Tk1,150 to Tk1,200 which was sold at Tk1,100 last week.
Chicken prices have been on the upswing for the past one month, now hitting record highs. White broiler is sold now at Tk250, white layer Tk270, red layer Tk290, and Pakistani cock Tk350. Compared to last week the prices has increased by Tk10 to Tk20.
As prices rise, low-income people tend to buy chicken wings and legs that are sold separately. These are also being sold at Tk140 per kg.
The number of fish in the market has decreased. Most of the shopkeepers are seen selling pangash, tilapia and rui fish. In this regard, the shopkeepers said that the fish that is not within the purchasing capacity of the buyer remains unsold. But the price of those fish has also increased.
Pangash fish is sold at Tk130 which was earlier Tk120, tilapia price increased from Tk160 to Tk170, rui (Nala) increased from Tk200 to Tk260. Medium size rui fish is being sold at Tk300 which was Tk280 earlier. Besides, puti fish is being sold at Tk240 and silver carp at Tk200 per kg.
Meanwhile, the vegetable market is somewhat stable, but the prices of salad ingredients including lemons are high. On hali (four pieces) lemon is sold for Tk30. Besides, tomato is sold at Tk30 per kg and cucumber Tk40 per kg. Other vegetables are being sold at an average of Tk30 to Tk40.
In addition, the prices of products in grocery stores are upward as before.
Mohiuddin, the owner of Mohiuddin meat store in Mirpur's No 11 market, said: “The price of beef husk was Tk15, now it is Tk80. Keeping a cow costs a lot now. And we don't increase prices by ourselves. We sell at a higher price because we have to bring it at a higher price.”
A customer Roksana Banu expressed her anger over the increase in the price of chicken and said: “Earlier chicken was available at Tk140 per kg, now we have to buy random pieces of chicken at that price. To meet the nutritional needs of our children at home, we have to buy these things. There is no one to see our sorrow.”
