The prices of vegetables and other essential kitchen items have surged in Khulna markets following Eid-ul-Azha.
After several days of meat-heavy meals during the Eid, many consumers are now turning to vegetables and fish for a lighter diet.
But vendors appear to be capitalizing on this shift in demand, with several shoppers alleging that traders are charging inflated prices under various pretexts.
Shoppers said that vegetable prices were at a reasonable level about a week before Eid but in the post-Eid market prices have surged by Tk20 per kg.
“Prices were fairly stable before Eid, but now they have jumped without any justification. After days of heavy eating, people are switching to vegetables, and traders are taking advantage of it,” said Redwan Ahmed, a customer at a local kitchen market.
Another shopper, Sohel Rana, said: “We’ve been eating meat for a week straight. Now we’re looking for something lighter but the prices are high.”
A market visit on Saturday revealed that brinjal was selling at Tk70–80 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk60–70, bitter gourd at Tk70–80, okra at Tk40–50, cabbage at Tk50–60, teasle gourd at Tk60–70, ivy gourd at Tk50–60, taro stem at Tk50–60, sponge gourd at Tk30–40, tomato at Tk60–70, papaya at Tk50–55, sweet pumpkin at Tk30–40, red spinach at Tk40–45 per bundle, bottle gourd at Tk45–50 each, a four-piece bunch of raw bananas at Tk40, and potatoes at Tk20–25 per kg.
Traders point to supply constraints caused by the Eid holidays and ongoing monsoon rains.
“From farmers to wholesalers, many have gone home for Eid. Though crops are in the fields, harvesting has slowed, resulting in reduced supply,” said Zahidul, a vegetable vendor.
“We’re not charging extra—we’re simply adding a small margin to our purchase price,” he said.
Mohammad, another trader, said: “Many people travelled from Dhaka to their hometowns for Eid. When they return, the demand will rise while the supply may still lag behind, causing further price hikes.”
Sheikh Polash Hossain, joint general secretary of the Daulatpur Market Merchant Association and president of the local vegetable traders’ association, acknowledged the situation.
“Post-Eid price increases are quite normal. Due to rain and labour shortages, farmers are facing challenges in harvesting. This has led to a temporary supply crunch which is why prices seem high. Once supply improves, prices are expected to stabilize,” he said.
Though traders insist that the price hike is temporary and justified by supply chain disruptions, the sudden increase is putting pressure on household budgets at a time when many are still recovering from festive expenses.
