Vegetable, poultry prices surge during Ramadan

Highlights:

• Four lemons are selling for Tk80-100, nearly double the price of two weeks ago
• Green chillies cost Tk150-160 per kg, while cucumbers have risen by Tk20-30 per kg
• Broiler chicken prices have gone up by Tk30-50 per kg
• Traders and analysts attribute rising prices to increased demand
• Consumers call for strict market monitoring

Prices of items that typically see higher demand during Ramadan have risen significantly over the last two weeks in the capital's kitchen markets, straining the budgets of lower and middle-income households. 

A visit to Karwan Bazar, Hatirpool Kitchen Market, and Kathalbagan Market yesterday (20 February) showed that vegetables, fish, and chicken are selling at noticeably higher rates. 

During Ramadan, iftar arrangements are made not only at homes but also at businesses, offices, mosques, and open spaces for those who are fasting, leading to the rise in demand for a number of items including chickpeas, dates, edible oil, sugar, lemons, onions, cucumbers, eggplants, and meat. However, along with rising demand, prices of these goods have also increased, adding to the worries of middle-income consumers.

Sharbat is an indispensable part of iftar, and lemons are essential for preparing it. Compared to two weeks ago, lemon prices have more than doubled. Depending on the market, a set of four lemons is now selling for Tk80–100.

Market visits show that the price of broiler chicken – one of the main protein sources for middle- and lower-middle-income families – has risen by Tk30–50 per kg. Sonali chicken is also expensive, selling at Tk320–350 per kg. The prices of eggplant and green chilies have increased by Tk20 per kg, with green chilies now costing Tk150–160 per kg.

According to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of coarse lentils has risen by Tk5 per kg and is now selling for Tk90–105, while finer lentils have increased by Tk10 per kg compared to last month. 

Although soybean oil prices remain unchanged, palm oil prices have increased by Tk5–7 per litre over the past month. Sugar is selling at Tk98–105 per kg. Onion prices have risen by Tk10 per kg, while cucumbers have increased by Tk20–30 per kg.

However, there are notable discrepancies between TCB's listed prices and actual market rates.

At Hatirpool kitchen market, cucumbers were selling at Tk80–100 per kg after a Tk20 increase. Tomato and carrot prices have also risen by at least Tk10 per kg. Compared to the same period last year, these vegetables are now Tk20–30 more expensive per kg.

Vendors attribute this unusual market situation to supply shortages and excessive demand. A vegetable seller in Kathalbagan said lemons are currently out of season, resulting in limited supply, while demand is soaring – pushing prices upward.

Market analysts believe that although prices tend to rise in the first week of Ramadan due to demand pressure, they may ease after a week or so if supply normalises. General consumers, meanwhile, are calling for stricter market monitoring by the government to control syndicates and keep prices within reach.