There has still been no major relief from the high prices of essential commodities in the capital’s wet markets. Fish and meat are still being sold at nearly the same high prices as before.
However, there is some good news in the egg and chicken markets: the price of eggs has fallen by Tk 10 per dozen, while broiler chicken has dropped by around Tk 10 per kilogram. Fish prices, however, are fluctuating, with sellers saying they fall by Tk 20–30 one day and rise again the next.
This picture of buying and selling was observed during a visit to various markets in the capital on Friday (August 14).
A market survey found that egg prices have fallen by Tk 10 and are now selling at Tk 140 per dozen. Last Friday, a dozen eggs cost Tk 150–155. Broiler chicken, which was selling for Tk 200 per kilogram last week, is now priced at Tk 190.
There has been no change in the prices of Sonali, hybrid, and layer chickens. Sonali chicken is selling for Tk 320–340 per kilogram, hybrid chicken for Tk 290–300, and layer chicken for Tk 350. Beef, meanwhile, is being sold at Tk 800 per kilogram.
Fish sellers said prices fluctuate by Tk 20–30 per kilogram depending on wholesale supply, sometimes even changing between morning and afternoon. Pangasius and tilapia, which are relied upon by lower- and middle-income consumers, are now considerably more expensive than before.
Farmed pangasius is selling for Tk 230 per kilogram, while tilapia is Tk 260. Depending on quality, shrimp costs Tk 800–900 per kilogram; pabda Tk 350–400; rohu Tk 300–500 depending on weight; and tengra Tk 700. Bhetki is priced at Tk 400–550, mrigel at Tk 250–300, bain at Tk 600–800, and local koi at Tk 700–800.
Farmed koi costs Tk 300, poa Tk 260, and shol Tk 700 per kilogram. Farmed shing is selling for Tk 300–450, depending on size. In addition, buyers will have to pay more than Tk 1,000 per kilogram for rupchanda, shol, and river-dwelling bele fish.
A buyer named Rafiqul Islam said, “Pangasius used to be available for Tk 180 per kilogram. Now it is not available for less than Tk 200. The price of tilapia has also increased by around Tk 60 over the past few months. It is now selling for Tk 260 per kilogram.”
Chicken trader Anis Ahmed said, “Chicken prices were somewhat lower this week compared with last week. They have risen slightly again today. Even so, we are selling broiler chicken for Tk 190–195 per kilogram. The price was Tk 200 last week. The price of Sonali chicken remains unchanged. We are selling it for Tk 320 per kilogram.”
Fish seller Anwar Hossain said fish prices are more or less the same as before. Some varieties of fish are always expensive. Depending on supplies from the wholesale market, prices can fluctuate by Tk 20–30 per kilogram. There may be one price in the morning, but it can change again in the afternoon.
Besides, most vegetables in the markets are currently priced between Tk 60 and Tk 80 per kilogram. Some vegetables with limited supplies are selling for up to Tk 120 per kilogram. However, as it is out of season, beans are currently the most expensive vegetable in the market, selling for Tk 200 per kilogram.
The reporter visited Townhall market in Mohammadpur area of the capital where it was found that pointed gourd (potol) was being sold at Tk 70 per kilogram, cucumber for Tk 60, bitter gourd for Tk 80, yardlong beans for Tk 80, sponge gourd (dhundal) for Tk 60, ridge gourd (jhinga) for Tk 80, and snake gourd (chichinga) for Tk 60.
In addition, eggplant was priced at Tk 80 per kilogram, teasel gourd (kakrol) for Tk 80, carrots for Tk 120, papaya for Tk 40, okra for Tk 60, green chillies for Tk 120, tomatoes for Tk 120, taro for Tk 80, sweet pumpkin for Tk 60, radish for Tk 80, four green bananas for Tk 40, bottle gourd for Tk 60 per piece, and taro stems (kochur loti) for Tk 80 per kilogram.