Kawran Bazar, one of the busiest kitchen markets in the capital, usually sees heavier footfall on Fridays compared to other days. From vegetables to fish stalls, even fruit shops are typically crowded.
However, the first Friday after Eid was a different scene—Kawran Bazar was relatively empty, and most shops remained closed. This trend wasn’t limited to Kawran Bazar; similar scenes were observed in other markets like Shantinagar and New Market.
Due to lower demand, the prices of chicken and beef have fallen, while a reduced supply of vegetables has pushed their prices up.
The post-Eid market trend was found after a market visit on Friday at Kawran Bazar, New Market, and Shantinagar. Traders said that many people have not yet returned to Dhaka following the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, and many shopkeepers have also gone to their hometowns to celebrate.
Overall, trading activity in the market is low. However, traders expect that the market will return to normal by the end of this week.
During visits to various markets, it was evident that the supply of vegetables was slightly lower. Some vegetables appeared to be less fresh, likely from a few days earlier.
Due to the reduced supply, prices were comparatively higher. Notably, the prices of green chilies, papaya, and tomatoes have increased. Before Eid, tomatoes were sold at Tk 20–25 per kg, but on Friday they were being sold for Tk 40–50.
Green chilies saw a Tk 20 hike per kg, selling at Tk 100–120. Despite the drop in demand post-Eid, a bunch of lemons was still being sold for Tk 40. Papayas were priced at Tk 50–60 per kg, local cucumbers at Tk 60–70, and hybrid cucumbers at Tk 30–40. Bottle gourds were being sold for Tk 50–70 each, depending on size.
Belayet, a vegetable seller at Kawran Bazar, said there were fewer customers in the market after Eid. At the same time, the supply of vegetables has also declined, which has led to price increases.
He expressed hope that prices would come down once the vegetable supply improves later in the week.
While vegetable prices have gone up, the prices of chicken and beef have dropped. On Friday, broiler chicken was being sold at Tk 200–210 per kg, down from Tk 240 before Eid.
The price of Sonali chicken also fell by Tk 20–40 per kg, now selling at Tk 280–310. While beef prices had surged before Eid due to high demand, they have now dropped. On Friday, beef was selling for Tk 700–750 per kg in the retail markets of the capital, whereas on the night before Eid, it was being sold for as high as Tk 850 per kg in some markets.
However, fish prices have gone up. Traders attributed the hike to reduced supply of farmed fish during the Eid holidays. On Friday, Pangas was selling at Tk 200 per kg, Telapia at Tk 200–220, Shing at Tk 350–500, Koi at Tk 230–250, and Rui and Katla ranged from Tk 300–450 per kg depending on size.
Shrimp was priced at Tk 650–1,200, Coral at Tk 650–700, Tangra at Tk 550–700, and Shol at Tk 700–800 per kg. Sellers noted that fish prices have increased by Tk 20–30 per kg compared to pre-Eid rates.
