The prices of edible oils—soybean and palm oil—have increased in Dhaka’s markets. Egg prices have also gone up over the past week. Although vegetable prices dropped slightly in between, they have risen again. Overall, there is no relief in the daily essentials market.
A survey on Thursday in Kawran Bazar, Shantinagar, and Turag’s Notun Bazar revealed this price situation. Although the Ministry of Commerce has yet to approve an official price hike, retail prices of soybean and palm oil increased by Tk 2 per litre yesterday.
A five-litre bottle of soybean oil now sells for Tk 930, up from Tk 910, while a one-litre bottle rose from Tk 190 to Tk 195. Palm oil prices have also risen by Tk 2 per litre, now selling between Tk 155 and Tk 162. The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) confirmed these increases in its latest market report. Meanwhile, eggs continue to sell at higher rates.
Over the past week, the price of a dozen farm eggs has increased by Tk 8–10. Traders said that as fish and vegetable prices have risen, demand for eggs has gone up, leading to the price hike.
Currently, a dozen brown eggs sell for Tk 148–150, and white eggs for Tk 140–145—up from Tk 140 and Tk 135 a week ago, respectively. However, the prices of broiler and Sonali chickens remain unchanged: broiler chicken sells for Tk 180–190 per kg, and Sonali chicken for Tk 280–300 per kg.
Regarding the egg price hike, Amanat Ullah, president of the Tejgaon Egg Traders Association, told The Daily Ittefaq that heavy rainfall had increased vegetable prices, pushing up demand for eggs. “That’s why egg prices are slightly higher now,” he said, adding that prices would drop once the vegetable supply improves.
Several poultry farmers, requesting anonymity, said they have no control over pricing despite producing the eggs themselves. Prices are set by wholesalers in Tejgaon and Kaptan Bazar, leaving farmers at a loss.
Md. Tofazzal Hossain, owner of Ajiron Poultry Farm in Gazipur, told Ittefaq that if farmers could sell eggs directly in Dhaka, both producers and consumers would benefit. “But eggs pass through several middlemen before reaching buyers, which drives up prices,” he said. “We’ve requested the Department of Livestock and the relevant ministry many times to establish 14–15 wholesale egg markets in Dhaka, but nothing has happened yet. A proper market management system could prevent price instability.”
No Relief in Vegetables
Even though vegetable supply in Dhaka’s markets has improved, prices haven’t fallen—in fact, some have gone up. Yesterday, pointed gourd (potol) was selling at Tk 80 per kg, up from Tk 60 last week.
Other vegetables also remain costly: eggplant Tk 100–160, bitter gourd Tk 80, spiny gourd Tk 80–90, long beans and okra Tk 70–80, papaya Tk 30, radish Tk 50–60, and ridge gourd, snake gourd, and sponge gourd Tk 60–80 per kg, depending on quality. Potatoes remain the cheapest at Tk 20–22 per kg.
Winter vegetables such as beans, cauliflower, and cabbage have started arriving in the market, but at high prices. Beans are selling at Tk 180–200 per kg, and small cauliflowers and cabbages are priced at Tk 50–70 each.
Along with vegetables, fish prices are also high. While farmed fish provide some relief, river fish are selling at steep rates. Depending on size and type, boal is selling at Tk 500–850 per kg, coral fish Tk 650–900, ayre Tk 550–750, farmed rui and katla Tk 300–450, tilapia Tk 180–220, pangas Tk 200, tengra Tk 600–750, pabda Tk 400–600, shing Tk 450–600, shrimp Tk 650–900, and shol Tk 550–800 per kg.