Broiler chicken crosses Tk200 per kg in Dhaka markets ahead of Eid

Highlights:

• Supply drop in wholesale market drives poultry price surge
• Spice prices climb as Ramadan demand grows
• Sugar and loose soybean oil prices increase slightly
• Onion and green chilli prices decline in retail markets
• Vegetable market remains mostly stable during Ramadan

Broiler chicken prices have surged in Dhaka's retail markets, crossing Tk200 per kg within a week, while prices of several spices have also started to rise ahead of Eid.

Broiler chicken, which sold for Tk170 to Tk180 per kg last week, is now being sold for up to Tk230 in some markets. The price has increased by about Tk50 to Tk60 per kg within seven days.

Customers expressed dissatisfaction over the sudden increase. The rise in chicken and spice prices is adding pressure on middle- and low-income consumers already facing high living costs.

Ruhul Amin, who came to buy chicken at a market, told TBS, "I did not think the price would increase this much within a week. The chicken I previously bought for Tk180, I now have to take for Tk230. This is significantly increasing household expenses."

Such scenes were observed yesterday at several retail markets in the capital, including New Market and Lalbagh kitchen markets.

Alongside broiler chicken, prices of other varieties of poultry are also high. Sonali (cock) chicken is selling for about Tk350 per kg, layer chicken for Tk360, and local (desi) chicken for around Tk730 per kg.

Sellers say the recent decline in supply and rising demand ahead of Ramadan have contributed to the price hike.

Harun, a chicken seller at New Market, told TBS that many farmers sold off their poultry earlier in anticipation of Ramadan. As a result, the current supply in the wholesale market has declined, pushing up prices.

Meanwhile, some fluctuations were also observed in the fish market. Depending on the market, farmed pangas fish is selling for Tk180 to Tk220 per kg, tilapia for Tk200 to Tk220, and ruhi for Tk350 to Tk450. Prices of some large river fish are even higher.

Prices of some grocery items have also increased slightly. Sugar has risen by Tk10 per kg and is now selling for Tk100 to Tk105. Aromatic rice prices have also increased slightly.

The spice market has also begun to heat up. Prunes (alubokhara) are selling for nearly Tk1,000 per kg, an increase of about Tk200. The prices of cumin, raisins and various nuts have risen by Tk40 to Tk80 per kg.

Edible oil prices have also increased. Loose soybean oil has risen by Tk10 per kg and is now selling at Tk210. However, palm oil prices remain stable at around Tk170 per kg.

Miraj, a trader at Lalbagh market, told TBS, "Plotted efforts are underway to increase oil prices. Prices may be hiked later by creating an artificial crisis. Otherwise, oil prices might be increased using the excuse of war." He urged the government to take strict measures to control the market.

Meanwhile, prices of some items have declined.

Onion prices have fallen by Tk10 per kg and are now selling for Tk35 to Tk40. Green chilli prices have also dropped by Tk20 per kg and are currently selling for Tk120 to Tk140.

Demand for lemons and cucumbers usually rises during the first week of Ramadan as they are widely used in salads for iftar.

However, lemon prices have slightly decreased this week. Depending on quality, four lemons are selling for Tk40 to Tk70.

Cucumber prices have also eased slightly. Although cucumbers were selling for Tk80 to Tk100 per kg at the beginning of Ramadan, prices have fallen by Tk5 to Tk10 this week. Traders say the vegetable market remains relatively stable during Ramadan due to lower overall demand.