Prices of essential commodities, including eggs and vegetables, remain elevated as a fuel shortage continues to drive up production and transportation costs, traders said on Friday.
During a visit to the Mirpur-1 kitchen market in the capital, vendors and buyers alike reported sustained price pressures across most food categories, with little relief for consumers.
Vegetables remain costly
Traders said inadequate fuel supply has disrupted irrigation and transport, pushing vegetable prices higher.
Local tomatoes are selling at Tk 50–60 per kg, carrots at Tk 60, long brinjals at Tk 120, round white brinjals at Tk 90–100, and round black brinjals at Tk 120. Beans are priced at Tk 90–100, cucumbers at Tk 100, bitter gourd at Tk 80–100, teasel gourd at Tk 120, and okra at Tk 80.
Hybrid pointed gourd is selling at Tk 100, local pointed gourd at Tk 160, snake gourd at Tk 80–100, sponge gourd at Tk 100, ridge gourd at Tk 120, and yardlong beans at Tk 80. Taro stems are priced at Tk 100, radish at Tk 60, taro root at Tk 80, green chili at Tk 100–120, and coriander leaves at Tk 160.
Hybrid cucumber is selling at Tk 70, papaya at Tk 70–80 and pumpkin at Tk 40 per kg.
Bottle gourd is priced at Tk 80–100 each, ash gourd at Tk 60–70, cauliflower at Tk 80 and cabbage at Tk 60. Green bananas are selling at Tk 40–50 per bunch, while lemons cost Tk 40–50 for four.
Of the 31 vegetables surveyed, 21 were priced at Tk 80 or above.
“Prices are high and sales have declined,” said vegetable trader Md Shah Alam, attributing the trend to irrigation disruptions caused by fuel shortages.
Another trader, Abdul Haque, said higher irrigation costs, extreme heat and increased transport fares have all contributed to the price rise.
A buyer, Tahmid Ahmed, said the high prices are forcing consumers to cut back. “Everything is expensive. It’s becoming difficult to decide what to buy,” he said.
Limited relief in staples
Potatoes and onions offered some relief, remaining relatively affordable.
Imported onions are selling at Tk 30–35 per kg and local varieties at Tk 40–45, while potatoes range between Tk 20–30 per kg.
Prices of imported garlic and ginger have declined by Tk 10–30 per kg compared to Eid. Local garlic is selling at Tk 70–80 per kg, Chinese garlic at Tk 160–180, Chinese ginger at Tk 150–160 and Indian ginger at Tk 120–130.
Meat, fish and eggs stay elevated
Poultry prices, which rose during Eid, remain largely unchanged. Broiler chicken is selling at Tk 178–188 per kg, layer chicken at Tk 320–330, cock chicken at Tk 380–390 and indigenous varieties at Tk 700.
Beef is priced at Tk 820 per kg and mutton at Tk 1,250.
Egg prices have also increased, with red eggs selling at Tk 120 per dozen, white eggs at Tk 110 and duck eggs at Tk 180.
A trader at a wholesale egg market said prices may rise further due to reduced production.
Fish prices also remain high, with ilish selling at Tk 1,200–3,400 per kg, rohu and catla at Tk 350–500, and shrimp at Tk 800–1,400. Traders said supply typically declines during seasonal water level changes.
Groceries remain expensive
Grocery prices continue to stay high, with no significant changes observed.
Packaged polao rice is selling at Tk 170 per kg, lentils at Tk 90–150 depending on type, soybean oil at Tk 190–195 per litre, sugar at Tk 100–105 per kg and flour at Tk 130–145 per 2 kg.
Spices remain particularly costly, with cardamom priced at Tk 5,200 per kg, cloves at Tk 1,450 and black pepper at Tk 1,280.
Traders attributed the sustained high prices primarily to fuel shortages affecting both production and transportation, while consumers continue to struggle with rising living costs.
