The daily essentials market in the capital has once again turned volatile. Weeks of continuous rainfall have reduced supply on one hand, while pushing up the prices of most vegetables, onions, eggs, chicken, and fish on the other.
Shoppers complain that traders are using the “rain excuse” to hike prices without restraint.
A visit to Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, and Town Hall Market on Friday revealed that the prices of several vegetables have crossed the Tk 100 per kg mark.
Eggplant and cucumber are selling for Tk 100–120 per kg, carrots for Tk 120, tomatoes for Tk 140–150, and bitter gourd for Tk 80. The price of green chilies has soared to Tk 180–200 per kg.
Vegetable sellers say that prolonged rains have damaged crops in various regions of the country, cutting supply and driving up prices.
Meanwhile, onion prices, which were Tk 60–65 per kg last week, have now risen to Tk 80–85, and even higher in some areas. Traders claim that much of this year’s onion stock at farmers’ storage has rotted, while rain has further disrupted supply.
Farm eggs are now selling for Tk 135–140 per dozen, up from Tk 120–125 just a week ago. Prices of broiler and Sonali chickens have also gone up — broilers are now Tk 170–180 per kg, and Sonali chickens Tk 300–330 per kg.
The price of hilsa has dipped slightly, with 1 kg fish selling for Tk 2,200–2,400. However, prices of other fish such as boal, coral, air, pabda, and shing have increased by Tk 20–50 per kg.
According to official data, after falling for four months, inflation rose again in July. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) reported that food inflation in July climbed to 7.56%, while overall inflation hit 8.55%. Economists attribute this to supply chain disruptions caused by monsoon rains and flooding.
Buyers warn that without strict government market monitoring, the situation could worsen. One customer remarked, “The market was manageable just a few days ago, but now it’s back to a complete scorched-earth scenario.”
