Prices of fish, chicken and eggs remain high, putting pressure on low- and middle-income households despite a slight decline in vegetable prices in Dhaka markets.
The situation was observed during visits to several kitchen markets in the capital on Friday.
Most vegetables were selling for Tk60-80 per kg. However, several varieties remained considerably more expensive, with beans at Tk200, carrots at Tk140, tomatoes at Tk130, eggplants at Tk120 and yardlong beans at Tk100 per kg.
Green chilies were selling for Tk120 per kg, bitter gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd and teasel gourd at Tk80, okra at Tk60, papaya at Tk40, sponge gourd at Tk60 and radish at Tk80.
Sourav Aman, a private-sector employee shopping at Raysaheb Bazar, said vegetable prices had fallen somewhat but several varieties remained expensive.
“Compared with last month, vegetable prices have come down somewhat. However, four or five types still cost a lot, ranging from Tk100 to Tk140 per kg. The rest are priced between Tk60 and Tk80, which is relatively reasonable,” he said.
Khadimul Islam, a vegetable seller at Dhupkhola Bazar, attributed the higher prices of eggplants, beans, carrots, yardlong beans and tomatoes to lower supply as they are currently out of season.
“The supply of these vegetables is somewhat low as they are not in season, which is why their prices are relatively high. Prices of other vegetables have fallen. If there is no prolonged rain, vegetable prices are likely to remain around these levels,” he said.
Chicken and eggs remain costly
Chicken prices remained largely unchanged, with broiler chicken selling for Tk190 per kg, Sonali chicken for Tk320 and local chicken for Tk650.
Beef was selling for Tk780-800 per kg.
Egg prices also remained high. White eggs were selling for Tk130 per dozen, while brown eggs cost Tk140-150. At neighborhood shops, prices reached Tk155-160 per dozen.
Chicken seller Zikrul Azam said prices had changed little over the past week.
“Today (August 21), I sold broiler chicken for Tk190 per kg. Sonali chicken was also selling at the previous price of Tk320 per kg,” he said.
Fish prices also remained high, adding to the pressure on household budgets.
Tilapia was selling for Tk250-260 per kg, pangas for Tk230-250, rohu and catla for Tk380-420, and pabda for Tk350-400.
Large rohu was priced at Tk450-500 per kg, tengra at Tk700, seabass at Tk400-550, mrigel at Tk250-300 and baim at Tk600-800 per kg.
Local koi was selling for Tk700-800 per kg, farmed koi for Tk300, poa for Tk260 and shol for Tk700. Farmed shing was priced at Tk300-450, depending on size.
Hilsa weighing 900g to 1kg was selling for around Tk2,500 each, while fish weighing about 1.3kg was priced at around Tk3,000 per kg.
Makkie, a customer at Narinda Bazar, said fish prices had become increasingly difficult for middle-income consumers to afford.
“It is surprising to see the prices when I come to buy fish. There is hardly any fish available below Tk250 per kg. Even tilapia costs Tk250. Shopping has become difficult for middle-income people like us,” he said.
Fish seller Shafik Mia said there had been no significant change in prices.
“There has been no major change in fish prices. They are being sold at the same rates as before. Even if prices fall by Tk20-30 one day, they rise again the next day,” he said.
Consumers feel the squeeze
Consumers said fish, chicken and eggs were putting the greatest pressure on their household budgets.
They said even when the price of one item fell slightly, another often became more expensive, making it difficult to manage daily expenses.
With household incomes failing to keep pace with rising food costs, many consumers said they were now able to buy less with the same amount of money.
Low- and middle-income consumers warned that continued high prices of essential food items would make it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses.
