Persistent rainfall over the past few days in the capital has begun to affect essential commodity markets. Consumers are unable to buy vegetables for less than Tk60 per kilogram, and on the weekly holiday, rising prices have left shoppers struggling. Vendors claim that the increase is due to continuous rain and higher transport costs.
A visit to several markets in the capital on Friday showed that beef is being sold at Tk780–800 per kilogram, with most sellers unwilling to go below Tk800. Meanwhile, broiler chicken is priced at Tk200 per kilogram, and Sonali chicken at Tk380.
Mofiz, a meat seller at Raysaheb Bazar, said fuel prices have increased and transport costs are higher than before. “The price of beef will not fall. With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, traders are already setting cattle prices accordingly,” he added.
At a poultry shop, customer Russell expressed frustration over the higher price of broiler chicken. “I bought it at Tk180 just a few days ago, and now it’s Tk200. If prices keep rising like this, how will low-income people survive? We hear about workers’ issues on loudspeakers, but no one sees how they actually live,” he said.
There is no relief in the fish market either, with prices of all varieties rising by Tk10–20 over the past week. Pangas, often considered an affordable fish, is now selling for Tk220–260 per kilogram. Ilish weighing around half a kilogram is priced between Tk1,500 and Tk1,600 per kilogram. Tilapia is Tk230, pabda Tk380, rohu Tk320–360, katla Tk400, tengra Tk850, and freshwater prawns are being sold at Tk1,000–1,250 per kilogram depending on size.
The impact of rising fuel prices and rainfall is also evident in the vegetable market, where no vegetable is available below Tk60 per kilogram. In some cases, prices have increased by Tk10–15 per kilogram within a week.
Potatoes are being sold at Tk20–25 per kilogram, tomatoes at Tk60, bitter gourd Tk60–65, pointed gourd Tk60, bottle gourd Tk50–60 each, papaya Tk70, carrots Tk80, okra Tk60, snake gourd and ridge gourd Tk70, cucumbers Tk100–110, yardlong beans Tk80, aubergines Tk80–100, and sponge gourd Tk60–70 per kilogram.
Vendors attribute the price hike to disruptions in the regular supply of vegetables due to continuous rainfall, along with increased transport costs driven by higher fuel prices.
Rahim Mia, a vegetable seller at Narinda Bazar, said that persistent rain has disrupted supply, while poor conditions of rural dirt roads have further increased transport costs. The rise in fuel prices has also contributed to higher market rates.
Another seller in the same market, Ikramul, said that vegetable fields in many parts of the country have been submerged due to recent rainfall. “Vegetables are not reaching Dhaka as before. Reduced supply and higher transport costs due to increased fuel prices are pushing prices up,” he explained.
Homemaker Shiuli Akter expressed frustration over vegetable prices at Raysaheb Bazar. “There is no vegetable below Tk60. Items that were cheaper just a few days ago are now much more expensive. It has become very difficult to manage a household. If prices rise like this due to rain, how will ordinary people cope?” she said.
Another customer, Saiful Islam, said: “It’s not just vegetables—fish and meat prices have also gone up. I can no longer shop as I used to. Most of my income is spent on groceries. If the government does not control the market, the situation for middle-income people will worsen.”
