Eggs, fish and chicken continue to sell at elevated prices in Dhaka’s markets, while the prices of flour and sugar have also increased. There has been some relief in the vegetable market, however, as improved supplies have pushed prices down slightly.
A visit to the markets in Karwan Bazar, Badda and Mohakhali on Friday (September 4) found that consumers are still facing significant pressure from rising food and essential commodity prices.
The recent Tk 5-per-litre increase in the price of bottled soybean oil has added to concerns that household expenses will rise further. Traders said sudden price increases in several essential items have also created anxiety among consumers.
Hasan Talukdar, a grocery trader in Karwan Bazar, said consumers are increasingly worried as the prices of edible oil, flour, sugar, pulses, powdered milk, soap and washing powder have all gone up.
Market insiders said the ongoing gas shortage has disrupted production at industrial facilities, affecting the supply of essential commodities such as flour, refined flour, sugar and edible oil.
Egg Prices Remain High
Eggs are still selling at Tk 150 per dozen, a price that has persisted for more than a month. Previously, a dozen eggs cost Tk 130–140.
A two-kilogram packet of flour is now selling for Tk 130, while three to four weeks ago the same product was priced at Tk 120 per kilogram. The price of loose flour has also risen to Tk 50 per kilogram from Tk 45.
Fish and Chicken Prices Stay Elevated
There has been little relief in the fish market. This week, tilapia was selling for Tk 250–260 per kilogram, pangas for Tk 230–250, rohu and catla for Tk 380–420, and shrimp for Tk 1,000–1,300.
Hilsa remains particularly expensive. Fish weighing between 900 grams and one kilogram is selling for Tk 2,250–2,600 per kilogram. As a result, many consumers on limited incomes are cutting back on fish purchases.
Chicken prices have also remained high. Broiler chicken is selling for Tk 180–200 per kilogram, while Sonali chicken costs Tk 300–320.
Abir Islam, a fish trader in Badda, said supplies have fallen for various reasons, pushing prices up by Tk 40–50 per kilogram. He said there is little prospect of prices falling in the near term.
Samia Jahan, a resident of Madhubagh who was shopping at Mohakhali Kitchen Market, said vegetable prices are relatively manageable, but the overall cost of living is becoming increasingly difficult to bear.
“Almost everything is getting more expensive. Eggs and fish are particularly costly. This is making it difficult for people like us to make ends meet,” she said.
Vegetable Prices Offer Some Relief
The vegetable market has shown some improvement, with most vegetables now selling for Tk 60–70 per kilogram. A month ago, when supplies were lower, the prices of many vegetables had climbed above Tk 100 per kilogram.
Pointed gourd and okra are now selling for Tk 50–60 per kilogram, snake gourd and ridge gourd for Tk 60, cucumber for Tk 50–60, bitter gourd for Tk 80, yardlong beans and ridge gourd for Tk 70–80, and papaya for Tk 30–40.
Taro stems are selling for Tk 80 per kilogram, sweet pumpkin for Tk 55–60, green chillies for Tk 120–160, eggplant for Tk 80–100, tomatoes for Tk 100–120, and carrots for Tk 100–120.
A bottle gourd costs Tk 60–80 each, while ash gourd is selling for Tk 50–60 apiece. Four green bananas cost Tk 40–50.
Onion and potato prices have remained largely unchanged. Depending on quality, onions are selling for Tk 50–55 per kilogram and potatoes for Tk 25–30.
Market Pressure Persists
Overall, the decline in vegetable prices has brought some relief, but high prices of fish, chicken and eggs, along with rising costs of edible oil and other essential commodities, continue to weigh on consumers.
Shoppers say authorities should go beyond efforts to reduce the prices of individual products and strengthen market monitoring to ensure stable supplies and prices across the entire range of essential commodities.
