Nearly all types of vegetables are being sold at high prices in the capital’s markets before winter vegetables arrive. Except for papaya and sweet pumpkin, no vegetables are available for less than Tk 80 per kilogram.
Some vegetables cost Tk 100 per kilogram, while early-season beans are selling for Tk 160 and tomatoes for Tk 180 to Tk 200 per kilogram.
Meanwhile, broiler chicken prices have fallen slightly. Compared with last week, prices have dropped by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kilogram, and chicken is now selling for Tk 175 to Tk 180 per kilogram. Egg prices have also declined somewhat but remain relatively high. Rice and soybean oil prices have remained stable at last week’s levels.
These findings were gathered on Thursday during visits to Mohammadpur Town Hall Market and Karwan Bazar in the capital.
A visit to the markets revealed that cauliflower, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, taro corms and pointed gourd are selling for Tk 80 per kilogram. Eggplant and spiny gourd cost Tk 100 per kilogram. Early-season winter radishes and okra are also selling for Tk 80 per kilogram. Early-season beans, however, cost Tk 160 per kilogram. Tomatoes are selling for Tk 180 to Tk 200 per kilogram.
Litton Mia, a vegetable vendor at Town Hall Market, said prices generally remain somewhat high before winter vegetables arrive in the markets. Higher truck transportation costs have also affected vegetable prices. At present, papaya and sweet pumpkin are comparatively cheaper. Papaya is selling for Tk 30 per kilogram, while sweet pumpkin costs Tk 50.
Onions are selling for Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kilogram. Locally grown garlic costs Tk 140 per kilogram, while imported garlic is even more expensive at Tk 180 per kilogram. Chili prices have remained unchanged from last week, with green chilies selling for Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kilogram.
Broiler Chicken Prices Decline
Broiler chicken prices in the capital’s markets have fallen by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kilogram to Tk 175–180. Sonali chicken is selling for Tk 320 to Tk 330 per kilogram.
Vendors said chicken production has increased as the intense heat has eased somewhat. Improved market supply has consequently led to a slight decline in prices.
Nahid Mia, an employee at a shop in Karwan Bazar, said, “Supply is good now, so prices have not increased.”
Meanwhile, the price of a dozen farm-produced eggs had risen to as much as Tk 160 two weeks ago. It has now fallen by Tk 10 to Tk 15, with a dozen selling for Tk 145 to Tk 150. A dozen white eggs costs Tk 140.
Vendors hope vegetable prices will fall further once winter vegetables begin arriving in the markets.
Rice Prices Offer No Relief
There has been no significant change in rice prices either. Around one to one-and-a-half weeks ago, rice prices increased by Tk 1 to Tk 2 per kilogram. Rice is still being sold at those higher prices.
Coarse rice is selling for Tk 55 per kilogram. Medium-grain varieties, including Atash and Paijam, are priced at Tk 55 to Tk 65 per kilogram. Fine-grain rice costs Tk 75 to Tk 80 per kilogram.
Various varieties of Nazirshail rice are selling for Tk 80 to Tk 86 per kilogram, depending on quality. Vendors said the price of Nazirshail rice had increased by Tk 2 to Tk 3 per kilogram around one to one-and-a-half weeks ago. It is still being sold at the higher rate.
According to vendors, rising fuel prices have increased truck transportation costs, contributing to the rise in rice prices.
Meanwhile, bottled soybean oil prices remain unchanged. Soybean oil is selling for Tk 210 per liter, while a two-liter bottle costs Tk 410.