Winter vegetables and staples in Dhaka see steep price hikes

The arrival of winter has brought fresh seasonal vegetables to the capital's markets, but prices remain unusually high, putting a strain on consumers. 

Beans are selling at Tk140-160 per kilogram, while cauliflower and cabbage range from Tk60-80, and radish is priced at Tk60 per kilogram in New Market, Hatirpool, and Polashi bazaars.

Babul Hossain, owner of Babul General Store in New Market, said the higher prices are due to the initial arrival of winter vegetables. "As more produce enters the market, prices may gradually decrease," he noted.

Rice prices are also on the rise. Over the past week, Miniket rice increased by Tk5 per kilogram, reaching Tk85, and aromatic Polao rice similarly rose to Tk125 per kilogram. Husky Nazir and Paijam are priced at Tk62, while Athash rice sells at Tk60 per kilogram.

Vegetable prices remain beyond the reach of many low-income buyers. Eggplant is being sold at Tk120 per kilogram, yardlong beans at Tk80, bitter gourd and ridge gourd at Tk100 each, and bottle gourd at Tk70-80. 

Only green papaya is relatively affordable at Tk 30 per kilogram. Tomatoes are selling at Tk120-140, carrots at Tk140-160, and cucumbers at Tk60-80.

Rickshaw driver Altaf Hossain told reporters, "Vegetable prices have been unmanageable for a long time. For low-income families, buying vegetables at these rates is almost impossible, let alone fish or meat."

The cost of essential cooking ingredients is also high. Green chillies are priced at Tk200-240 per kilogram, onions at Tk80, and garlic at Tk120-180, depending on the variety.

Meat prices remain steep. Farmed broiler chicken sells at Tk180-190 per kilogram, Sonali chicken at Tk320-330, and deshi chicken at Tk600. Beef costs Tk750-800 per kilogram, while goat meat is priced at Tk1,100-1,200.

Egg prices, however, have remained stable. A dozen farmed red eggs sell for Tk150, white eggs at Tk145, deshi chicken eggs at Tk240, and duck eggs at Tk255.

With both vegetables and staples climbing steadily, consumers are facing an increasingly expensive start to the winter season.