Taking advantage of a few days of rainfall, dishonest traders have once again raised vegetable prices in Dhaka’s retail markets. Using “supply shortages” as an excuse, sellers have increased prices by Tk 10–20 per kilogram within a week, though supply in the markets remains largely normal.
On Thursday, visits to several markets including Nayabazar and Kawran Bazar revealed that yardlong beans were selling at Tk 80–85, okra at Tk 80, ridge gourd at Tk 70–80, and bottle gourd at Tk 60–70 per piece. Flat beans were priced at Tk 200, arum stem at Tk 80–100, teasel gourd at Tk 80, carrot at Tk 120, pointed gourd at Tk 80, radish at Tk 70, while cauliflower and wax gourd were selling for Tk 50 each. Potatoes were available at Tk 30 per kilogram.
Alongside vegetables, the prices of edible oil and lentils have also gone up. A two-liter bottle of soybean oil is now being sold at Tk 380–385, up from Tk 375–380 a week ago. Palm oil is retailing at Tk 168 per liter. Medium-grain lentils are selling at Tk 120–140 per kilogram, while small-grain lentils have surged to Tk 150–160.
The meat and fish markets remain unstable as well. Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 180 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk 280, beef at Tk 750–800, and mutton at Tk 1,100–1,200 per kg. A dozen eggs now cost Tk 140.
Fish prices are also beyond the reach of common consumers. Medium-sized hilsa is selling for Tk 2,300–2,500 per kg, smaller hilsa at Tk 700–750, while rui is at Tk 350–400, tilapia at Tk 250, pangas at Tk 220–250, pabda at Tk 400–450, tengra at Tk 800, and shrimp at Tk 1,000 per kg.
Consumers complained that despite adequate supply in the market, traders are unjustifiably increasing prices, forcing people to struggle in buying daily essentials.