Veggie prices stay high as markets remain quiet after Eid 

Eid-ul-Adha festivities are yet to fully fade, but vegetable prices in Dhaka remain abnormally high even with fewer buyers in the kitchen markets, while fish prices continue to offer little relief.

A visit to New Market, Lalbagh and Hatirpool kitchen markets today (5 June) found post-Eid trading yet to return to normal. Many fish and meat shops remained closed, while poultry sellers reported weak demand.

Vegetables were the biggest concern for consumers, with several items selling at unusually high prices for the season. Traders attributed the trend to supply disruptions, as many wholesalers have yet to resume regular operations after Eid.

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Local tomatoes were selling for Tk140-170 per kg, local carrots Tk160, imported carrots Tk180 and beans Tk320. Moringa pods were priced at Tk180, local cucumbers Tk120-160, green chillies Tk140 and coriander leaves Tk200 per kg.

Eggplant, bitter gourd, teasel gourd, okra, pointed gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd and yardlong beans were selling between Tk70 and Tk140 per kg. Depending on size, bottle gourds cost around Tk80 each. Cauliflower was selling at Tk70, cabbage at Tk60-70 and four green bananas at Tk50-60.

"Many families still have qurbani meat at home, so markets are less crowded. But vegetable prices remain high," said Sharmin Akter, a shopper at New Market. "Buying a few varieties of vegetables now costs Tk500-600."

However, potato and onion prices remained stable. Local onions were selling at Tk45 per kg, cross-bred onions at Tk40 and potatoes at Tk25. Local garlic was priced at Tk90-100, imported garlic at Tk130-140 and ginger at Tk160-180 per kg.

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Poultry and egg prices were largely unchanged. Broiler chicken sold for Tk170-180 per kg, Sonali/Pakistani chicken Tk340-350 and layer chicken Tk380-400. Red eggs were selling at Tk120 per dozen and white eggs at Tk110.

Fish prices also remained firm despite an adequate supply. Rui sold for Tk350-400 per kg, katla Tk380-450 and kalibaush Tk350-600, while shrimp prices ranged from Tk800 to Tk1,800 per kg, depending on size