Prices of vegetables, poultry and fish have started rising in Dhaka markets following the Tk20-per-litre hike in fuel prices, with traders warning that higher transport costs could drive up the prices of other essentials in the coming days.
A visit to markets in Jatrabari, Rampura and Karwan Bazar on Tuesday found that prices of most vegetables, fish and poultry had increased, while beef and mutton prices remained largely unchanged.
Retailers said several vegetables had become Tk5-15 more expensive within two days as traders factored higher transport costs into their prices.
At the markets, okra was selling for Tk60 a kilogram, bitter gourd Tk80, pointed gourd Tk60-70, cucumber Tk60, ridge gourd Tk60, snake gourd Tk60 and beans Tk200.
Round eggplant was selling for Tk160 a kg, while regular eggplant was Tk80. Tomatoes were Tk80, potatoes Tk30, onions Tk55-60 and garlic Tk160-170. Bottle gourd was selling for Tk60 apiece.
Soybean oil was Tk210 a litre and eggs Tk160 a dozen. Broiler chicken was selling for Tk200 a kg, while red/cock chicken was Tk370.
“Everything is getting Tk5-10 more expensive,” said grocery trader Md Mintu.
Retailer Rafiqul Islam said the fuel price increase was already affecting the cost of goods.
“Fuel prices will go up but vegetable prices will not, is that even possible? Everything is becoming more expensive. What we sold at one price the day before yesterday is costing at least Tk10-15 more today,” he said.
Higher transport costs push up wholesale prices
Wholesale traders said higher fuel prices had immediately increased transport costs for bringing vegetables from production areas to Dhaka.
Trader Sharif Rahman from Jashore said he had to pay Tk20,000 to transport a five-ton truckload of vegetables to Jatrabari, up from Tk19,000 the previous day.
At Karwan Bazar, trader Md Ikram, who brings vegetables from Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Tangail, said the fare for a truck from Mymensingh to Dhaka had risen from Tk14,500 to Tk18,500.
Wholesale trader Saidur Rahman said the fare for transporting vegetables from Manikganj had increased from Tk2,500 to Tk3,500.
“Some vegetables may become around Tk10 more expensive per kilogram,” he said.
At Karwan Bazar, retailer Salma Begum said wholesale prices had increased on Tuesday morning, forcing retailers to raise prices by Tk5-10 a kg.
Fish prices had also increased slightly. Pangas was selling for Tk200-230 and tilapia Tk220-260 a kg.
Shrimp was Tk800-900, pabda Tk350-450 and tengra around Tk700 a kg. Vetki was Tk400-550, mrigel Tk250-300, local koi Tk600-800 and farmed koi Tk260 a kg.
Despite the increase in vegetable, fish and poultry prices, traders said meat prices remained unchanged. Beef was selling for Tk800-850 a kg.
Consumer Ashraful Islam, who came to buy daily essentials at Jatrabari market, said: “Traders and retailers are charging us Tk10-15 extra per kg for daily essentials. For fixed-income families, surviving is becoming nearly impossible while market monitoring remains completely absent.”
Full impact may take a few days
Traders said the full impact of the fuel price hike had yet to reach the retail market, as much of the produce currently being sold was transported before the new fuel prices came into effect.
Babur Uddin, a vegetable seller, said retailers would have to raise prices if wholesalers increased their prices.
“If we have to buy at a higher price, we will have to sell at a higher price. Transport fares will definitely increase,” he said.
Retailer Arif Hossain from Keraniganj said several vegetables and fish had become Tk10-20 more expensive within a day.
“It will increase further,” he said.
Traders warned that higher transport costs could gradually affect products brought to Dhaka from distant production areas.
They said vegetables, fish, meat, rice, potatoes and onions could face additional cost pressures as new consignments arrive with higher transportation costs.
Market observers said the government should ensure that transport fares remain fair and prevent traders from using the fuel price hike as an opportunity to raise prices excessively.
Mustafizur Rahman, a distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said the fuel price hike would put pressure on the economy.
“Transport costs are rising and the crisis is multifaceted because different aspects of the economy are interconnected. The government should strengthen market monitoring at this time. At the same time, it should explore alternative arrangements to meet fuel demand, including through imports or other means,” he added.
The new fuel prices came into effect on September 21, with diesel and kerosene rising to Tk135 and Tk155 per litre respectively, while petrol and octane increased to Tk160 and Tk165.
