The spiralling prices of almost all essentials in the kitchen markets in Khulna have put the customers in distress, thanks to the authorities’ poor monitoring.
Although the supply of bean, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, brinjal, point gourd, ladies finger and bitter gourd are sufficient in the market, the price is quite high as before, said customers.
However, the traders claimed that the price of vegetables was high for the last few months, but they have been selling at a lower price for weeks.
They also said the early variety winter vegetables are selling at a bit higher prices.
During a recent visit to the different kitchen markets in Khulna city, the correspondent found that per kg bean is being sold at Tk160-200 while one piece cauliflower is being sold at Tk50 which was Tk60 last week.
Besides, one piece cabbage is being sold at Tk60 while radish is being sold at Tk30-40 per kg which was sold at Tk50-60 last week.
One kg tomato is being sold at Tk120-140 while carrot Tk160 per kg and the bitter gourd, snake bean is being sold at Tk70-80 per kg and eggplant is being sold at Tk60-70 per kg.
Meanwhile, one piece bottle gourd is being sold at Tk70-80, taro roots at Tk50-60, teasle gourd at Tk70, taro stolon at Tk70-80, cucumber at Tk40-50 per piece and green chili at Tk200 per kg.
Per kg onion is being sold at Tk120, ginger at Tk280, garlic at Tk220, potato at Tk60 in the local market while per kg beef is being sold at Tk650 and mutton at Tk1,000.
Quamrul Ahsan, a customer, said except for two vegetables, the prices of all vegetables are above Tk50-60. “How can there be relief when vegetables are so expensive? We expected the new government would regulate the market properly. But nothing is happening so far. The market is still under the grip of syndicates,” he said.
He also said that the low-income people are suffering a lot due to the soaring price of daily essentials.
Rafique, a trader at Sandhya Bazar, said: “The prices of vegetables are comparatively low in the market. But the winter vegetables are a little more expensive. In yesterday's market, I was selling beans at Tk 200 per kg. There were no beans last week. Off-season vegetables of 2/4 items, including beans, are being sold slightly at higher prices.”
