Chicken prices drop, soybean oil supply slightly improves

Highlights

• Vegetable prices rise by Tk5-20 per kg
• Lemons cost Tk60-80 per four pieces 
• Onion prices down by Tk5-10 per kg
• Beef, mutton prices remain high 

In the first week of Ramadan, chicken prices in the capital's retail markets have fallen by Tk10-15 per kg, while the prices of lemons, eggplants, and cucumbers have eased slightly after an initial surge. 

However, some vegetable prices have risen by Tk10-20 per kg, and the soybean oil supply, after nearly a month of shortages, is gradually returning to normal.

A market visit today (7 March) revealed that the price of broiler chickens had risen to Tk210-220 per kg last week due to Ramadan demand, but it has now dropped to Tk190-200 per kg. 

Sonali chickens are being sold at Tk270-290 per kg, marking a Tk20-30 decrease. Farm brown eggs are available at Tk120-130 per dozen.

At the beginning of Ramadan, high demand caused prices of lemons, eggplants, and cucumbers to spike, but they have since slightly declined. 

Currently, a set of four lemons costs Tk60-80, eggplants are priced at Tk70-90 per kg, and cucumbers at Tk50 per kg. Last week, the price of these items had exceeded Tk100 per kg.

On the other hand, some other vegetable prices have increased by Tk5-10 per kg. Bitter gourds are selling for Tk60-80 per kg, while okra is priced at Tk60-90 per kg. 

Cauliflower, cabbage, hyacinth beans, bottle gourd, papaya, and snake gourd are available for Tk40-60 per kg. Green chilies are being sold at Tk40-60 per kg, while tomatoes are priced at Tk30-35 per kg.

Vegetable seller Abdul Khalek from Shahjadpur said, "In the first two days of Ramadan, the prices of lemons, eggplants, and cucumbers were high due to increased demand. People bought more, leading to supply shortages. We also had to buy at higher prices. But now, prices are coming down slightly. Other vegetable prices remain unchanged."

Meanwhile, onion prices have decreased over the past week, now selling at Tk35-40 per kg compared to Tk40-50 last week. Potatoes are being sold for Tk20-25 per kg.

In the meat market, beef is being sold for Tk750-800 per kg, while mutton is priced at Tk1,100-1,200 per kg.

Soybean oil supply crisis eases

Traders say the initial soybean oil supply crisis at the start of Ramadan has also improved significantly. Most shops now have an adequate stock of soybean oil, with increased supply in the past two days, according to them.

Mamun Hossain, a wholesale trader at Karwan Bazar, told TBS, "Soybean oil supply has been stable since the day before yesterday [Thursday]. It's now available without any shortages and is being sold at the fixed price."

Although neighbourhood grocery stores still face slight inconsistencies, the overall supply has improved. 

Shahjadpur grocery store owner Saiful Islam said, "For a while, we weren't getting bottled soybean oil at all. But now we are, though not completely as before. However, there's no crisis anymore."