Eid rush pushes up polao rice, garlic, fish, and chicken prices in Dhaka

Dhaka shoppers are facing rising prices for key festive ingredients ahead of Eid, with polao rice, Chinese garlic, fish, and chicken seeing price surges.

Meanwhile, some vegetables have become cheaper, while prices of rice varieties, dal, and soybean oil remain mostly stable.

Over the past few days, polao rice has risen by Tk10 per kilogram, now selling at Tk145. Chinese garlic has jumped Tk30 to Tk230 per kilogram, while local garlic has fallen to Tk60 per kilogram from Tk80. 

Traders say the price rise is driven by increased demand ahead of the Eid.

"The price of polao rice feels like it fell from the sky. I bought some two days ago, and now it has increased," said a shopper at New Market, Adiba.

Similar trends were observed today (4 March) in Hatirpool, Lalbagh, and New Market, where Chinese garlic that sold for Tk200 per kilogram two days ago is now Tk230, while local garlic has fallen from Tk80 to Tk60 per kilogram.

Rui, Tilapia, and Pangash are not available below Tk200 per kilogram, with prices having increased by Tk20 to Tk40 per kilogram over the past week.

Medium-sized Rui is selling at Tk320 per kilogram, up from Tk300 last week, while larger Rui costs Tk40–60 more per kilogram. Tilapia has risen from Tk250 to Tk270, and Pangash now sells at Tk220 per kilogram.

"Fish supply is slightly limited, and with Ramadan ongoing, higher demand has pushed prices up," Hanif, a fish seller at New Market, told TBS.

Chicken prices have increased by Tk10–20 per kilogram over the week. Broiler chicken now sells for Tk190–200 per kilogram. Sonali and layer chickens, previously selling at Tk280 per kilogram, now cost Tk300. 

Eggs have remained stable, with red eggs at Tk110 and white eggs at Tk100 per dozen. 

Lalbagh chicken trader Helal told TBS, "With fish prices higher, people are buying more chicken, which has slightly increased prices for all types. Prices may rise further ahead of Eid."

Beef and mutton prices have remained largely stable. Beef sells at Tk800–850 per kilogram, while goat meat is priced at Tk1,200 per kilogram.

Shoppers at New Market, including Ashraful, said buying fish under Tk200 has become increasingly difficult. "Even ordinary Pangash is hard to find, which is putting extra pressure on us," he said.

Vegetable prices, meanwhile, have dropped. Tomatoes have fallen from Tk60 to Tk40 per kilogram, eggplants from Tk80 to Tk60, bottle gourd from Tk60 to Tk40, and bitter gourd from Tk160 to Tk100.

Lemons are down from Tk80 to Tk50, and cucumbers from Tk80 to Tk40 per kilogram. Carrots sell at Tk50 per kilogram, potatoes at Tk20, onions at Tk35 (down from Tk40–45 a few days ago), and ginger at Tk120 per kilogram. 

Rice varieties have mostly remained stable: Miniket at Tk80 per kilogram, Paijam at Tk55, and Atash at Tk60. 

Moong dal has risen from Tk160 to Tk170 per kilogram, while chickpeas, black-eyed beans (dably boot), and masoor dal remain stable.

Soybean oil prices remain unchanged at Tk200 per kilogram, while palm oil is priced at Tk170 per kilogram.