The impact of several consecutive days of rainfall has been felt in the capital's fresh produce markets. Prices of almost all vegetables have crossed the Tk 100 mark.
Only papaya is being sold for Tk 40 per kg, a couple of vegetables are priced at Tk 80 per kg, while the rest are selling between Tk 100 and Tk 160 per kg. Green chilies are the most expensive, selling at Tk 280 per kg.
A visit to several markets across the capital on Friday morning revealed this sharp increase in vegetable prices.
At today's market, bottle gourd is selling at Tk 100 per piece, papaya at Tk 40 per kg, snake gourd at Tk 80 per kg, carrots at Tk 130 per kg, cucumbers at Tk 140 per kg, and pointed gourd at Tk 80 per kg.
In addition, green chilies are selling at Tk 280 per kg, tomatoes at Tk 160 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk 120 per kg, teasel gourd at Tk 140 per kg, cucumbers at Tk 160 per kg, long eggplant at Tk 120 per kg, round eggplant at Tk 160 per kg, okra at Tk 80 per kg, and spine gourd at Tk 120 per kg.
A private service holder Ali Imam, who came to shop at Town Hall Market in Mohammadpur on the weekly holiday, said that vegetable prices have been rising for several days, but they have increased even more today.
"You could say there isn't a single vegetable in the market selling for less than Tk 80 to Tk 100. Most vegetables cost between Tk 100 and Tk 140 per kilogram. I bought green chilies for Tk 280 per kg, and in many places they were Tk 300".
"Is it really possible to afford vegetables at these prices? Sellers are charging whatever they want. It seems like no one is overseeing how much prices are rising", he added.
Nizam Miah, a vegetable seller at the same market said vegetable prices had been relatively low until the recent rainfall caused them to rise.
"The wholesale supply of vegetables has declined because of the rain. In many areas, crops have been damaged. Vegetables are also arriving in Dhaka in smaller quantities from different parts of the country due to bad weather."
While the prices of meat, broiler chicken, and eggs have remained stable in the capital's markets, fish prices have increased. Compared to last week, fish prices have gone up by Tk 20–30 per kg. Beef is selling at Tk 800 per kg, eggs at Tk 135 per dozen, and the price of pangas fish has also exceeded Tk 200 per kg.
A visit to Kawran Bazar and Krishi Market showed that prices of several fish varieties are quite high. Depending on quality, shrimp is selling for Tk 700–900 per kg, pabda fish for Tk 350–400 per kg, and large-sized rui for Tk 400–450 per kg.
The visit also found that egg prices have remained stable than the last week. Eggs are being sold at Tk 135 per dozen. Beef is priced between Tk 750 and Tk 800 per kg, while mutton costs between Tk 1,100 and Tk 1,200 per kg.
In the poultry market, broiler chicken is selling for Tk 190 per kg, while Sonali chicken is priced at Tk 330 per kg.