Dhaka kitchen markets see no easing in food prices

Highlights: 

• Egg prices remain persistently high at Tk150 per dozen
• TCB says coarse rice rose by 9.5% over a month
• Vegetables selling at Tk80-120 per kg, green chili Tk160
• Spices, edible oil prices rising ahead of Eid
• Vendors blame rain, transport costs, supply shortages

There appears to be no relief in sight for consumers in Dhaka's kitchen markets as prices of daily essentials have remained high over the past two weeks, particularly meat, eggs, vegetables, rice and spices.

Vendors blamed continuous rainfall, higher transport costs and seasonal supply shortages for the high price, while consumers said household expenses are rising despite stagnant incomes.

A visit to New Market, Lalbagh, Hatirpool and Karwan Bazar today (8 May) showed prices largely unchanged from two weeks earlier.

Pakistani cock chicken was selling at Tk370 per kg, broiler at Tk180 and beef at Tk800 per kg.

Egg prices also remained high. A dozen white eggs were selling at Tk130, small and medium-sized brown eggs at Tk140, and large brown eggs at Tk150.

Ataur Rahman, a shopper at New Market, said he was shocked by egg prices. "Eggs were one of the few relatively affordable items, but at Tk50 for four eggs, they are also going out of reach," he said.

Fish prices also showed no signs of easing. Katla was selling at Tk360 per kg, rohu at Tk320, tilapia at Tk200, silver carp at Tk180, koi at Tk220, pangash at Tk200 and pabda at Tk300 per kg.

Most vegetables were selling between Tk80 and Tk120 per kg. Teasel gourd, round brinjal and local cucumber were priced at Tk120 per kg, while long brinjal and hybrid cucumber were Tk100 per kg. Pointed gourd and bitter gourd were selling at Tk80 per kg, ridge gourd, snake gourd and sponge gourd at Tk100 per kg, and okra at Tk60 per kg.

Sweet pumpkin was selling at Tk50 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk70 each, green chilli at Tk160 per kg and papaya at Tk80 per kg.

Shafiqul Islam, a private-sector employee, said vegetables below Tk80–100 per kg were now hard to find. "It's becoming difficult for ordinary people to afford vegetables at these prices," he said.

There was also little relief in the rice market despite the start of boro harvesting. Medium-quality rice was selling at Tk60-68 per kg and coarse rice at Tk55-60. TCB data showed medium rice prices rose 4% over the past month, while coarse rice increased by more than 9.5%.

Prices of edible oil, spices and nuts are on an upward trend ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, further intensifying pressure on consumers.

Shariful Islam, who came to buy spices in Lalbagh, said, "Eid is still about a month away, but prices of all kinds of spices have already been increased."

Tuhin, a grocery trader, said there was no shortage of supply. "But prices are being raised at the wholesale level. Import costs are being cited as the reason for higher prices," he said.