With two days left for Eid-ul-Fitr, the prices of chicken, beef, vegetables, and milk have increased in the kitchen market of the capital.
Visiting different kitchen markets on Friday, the UNB correspondent found that prices of all types of chicken and beef have increased ahead of Eid.
The traders said that the price of chicken has increased by Tk15 to 20 per kg compared with last week.
The price may be increased again the day before Eid, as the supply line is slightly disrupted due to the Eid holidays.
Though the number of consumers is thin in the kitchen market compared with regular time, but the prices of vegetables increased by Tk20 to 50 per kg, claiming a supply shortage ahead of Eid.
On Friday, this information was obtained by visiting several markets in the capital, including Rampura-Banasree, and talking to buyers and sellers.
Chicken price
Visits to Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali, and Rampura kitchen markets revealed that broiler chicken is being sold in the market for Tk215 to 220 per kg, which was Tk190 to 200 per kg even in the middle of Ramadan.
Sonali chicken is being sold in the market for Tk320-350 per kg based on quality, compared to Tk270-280 per kg a week ago.
Layer (red) chicken also being sold at Tk320 to 340 per kg.
In addition, white layer chicken are being sold for Tk280 to 300 per kg, and each piece of duck is being sold for Tk600-650 piece, depending on the size.
The traders of the respected sector said that prices of chicken increased due to price hikes of chicken food and broiler chicks.
Beef and mutton price
The beef prices increased slightly on Friday.
The beef is being sold for Tk800 per kg, which was sold for Tk750 to a maximum of Tk780 per kg a week ago.
In addition, per kilogram of mutton is being sold for Tk1,200 per kg and goat meat for Tk1,100 per kg.
Cucumber and lemon price
The prices of cucumbers have suddenly jumped to Tk100 per kg since last Tuesday from Tk40 to 50 per kg.
Traders said that the demand for cucumbers increased during Eid, but the supply is decreased due to the off season.
The lemon prices decreased slightly, but were selling at Tk40 to 80 per hali (4 pieces) in the Karwan Bazar on Friday.
The traders have also said that lemon price was higher in Ramadan for a short supply due to the off-season.
However, the prices of lemons decreased slightly ahead of Eid, they said.
Vegetable prices
The prices of almost all vegetables increased, claiming a short supply in the capital due to the Eid holidays.
However, newly arrived seasonal vegetables like drumsticks, string beans, and bitter gourd, okra were selling between Tk80 to 140 per kg based on quality.
Vegetables like brinjal and others were selling between Tk100 to 120 per kg, bottle gourd, ash gourd, and cauliflower at Tk40 to 70 per piece.
Onion is selling between Tk30 to 50 per kg, garlic Tk160 per kg local variety, while imported garlic was selling at Tk240 per kg and ginger at Tk120 to 160 per kg based on quality.
Eggs were selling in previous rates.
A dozen brown eggs were selling at Tk120 to 130 while it was Tk145 to 150 in the previous year, egg duck at Tk70 per hali (four pieces), and egg of home-rearing hens sold at Tk80 per hali (four pieces).
Milk price
The price of Milk Vita liquid milk has increased before Eid. Last week, the price of Milk Vita was increased by Tk10 per litre.
The price of powdered milk has also increased in some retail stores.
Apart from this, the prices of vermicelli (semai), noodles, polao rice, aromatic rice, sugar, and molasses, have remained stable at the previous prices.
The latest increase in the price of liquid milk was made on March 21 by the state-owned milk producer Cooperative Union Limited (Milk Vita).
The price of a half-litre packet of milk has been increased from Tk50 to 55, and the price of a one-litre packet of milk has increased from Tk90 to 100.
Earlier, in November last year, Aarong and Pran had similarly increased the price of their liquid milk to Tk100 per litre.
On the other hand, per kg of powdered milk is currently being sold in the market at Tk820 to 860. For example, per kg of Diploma milk is now being sold in the market at Tk860, Fresh milk at Tk810-820 and Starship at Tk650.
Traders said, the companies had increased the price of powdered milk at the retail level by about Tk30 per kg two months ago.
Almost all companies, including Diploma, Dano, Dano Daily Pusti, Fresh, Marks, and Starship, increased the price of powdered milk at that time.
However, retailers said that companies did not increase the prices of powdered milk during Ramadan.
The prices of fish were stable and selling at the previous price in Dhaka on Friday.
The prices of other kitchen items remained unchanged ahead of Eid-Ul-Fitr.
