Consumers reel under rising prices of vegetables, fish, and meat
Prices of many vegetables have risen due to rain and higher transport costs
The prices of some vegetables, fish, and meat have gone up, putting pressure on consumers, while the prices of spices and certain pulses have remained relatively stable.
Visits to Shantinagar, New Market, and several other kitchen markets today (12 September) revealed the overall situation.
Meanwhile, unchanged prices of rice and eggs have provided some relief for consumers.
Buyers in different markets said their daily shopping bills are rising due to the increasing commodity prices.
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Shirin Akhter, a shopper in Shantinagar, said, "Daily shopping now costs double. Previously, Tk1,000 was enough for three to four days of vegetables and lentils. Now, food worth the same price is gone in just one day."
"They say prices are falling, but they are still beyond our reach," she added.
Vegetable prices
Vegetable prices showed mixed movement.
Lemons have doubled from Tk20 to Tk40 for four pieces, potatoes have remained steady at Tk25 per kg, cucumbers have risen from Tk60 to Tk70, round brinjals have jumped from Tk120 to Tk160, medium brinjals are selling for Tk100 per kg, and long brinjals have stayed at Tk60.
Bottle gourds have become cheaper, dropping from Tk80 to Tk70 each. Bitter gourd and okra have remained stable at Tk80 per kg, yardlong beans are Tk80, snake gourd and sponge gourd are Tk60, and green chillies have held steady at Tk160.
Leafy greens, such as red spinach, malabar spinach, water spinach, and stem amaranth, are available at Tk20 a bunch.
Md Jamal, a vegetable seller in Shantinagar, said prices of many vegetables have risen due to rain and higher transport costs, adding that some items are cheaper because of a higher supply.
"Bottle gourd, bitter gourd, and okra prices are unchanged, but lemon, brinjal, and cucumber are costlier. Even wholesalers are charging us more now," he added.
Fish and meat
Fish prices have increased.
Rui ranged between Tk300 and Tk490 depending on size, big catla Tk350–Tk400, tengra Tk400–Tk560, pabda Tk450 and farmed shing Tk300–Tk400. Silver carp sold for Tk180–Tk260, and tilapia Tk200–Tk250.
Hilsa prices are stable: large Tk2,400, medium Tk1,400, and small Tk1,200 per kg.
Fish trader Kawsar said, "During the monsoon, farmed fish escaped their enclosures in many areas, so prices are slightly higher."
Chicken prices have also risen.
Broilers are Tk190–Tk200 (previously Tk180), while Sonali and Pakistani chickens are selling at Tk320 per kg.
Beef remains steady at Tk750, while the price of mutton has fallen slightly from Tk1,100 to Tk1,050.
Prices of eggs, pulses, and rice
Egg prices have remained unchanged, with red eggs selling at Tk144 per dozen and white eggs at Tk145.
Local lentils have risen to Tk155 per kg, while Indian lentils have stayed at Tk100. Moong dal or green gram is selling for Tk150–160, khesari (grass pea) Tk110–Tk112, and chickpeas have risen from Tk100 to Tk110.
Rice prices are steady: polao rice Tk125–Tk130, miniket Tk78–Tk80, and paijam/Atash Tk65.
Other essentials
Soybean oil is available at Tk185–Tk190 per litre.
Meanwhile, spices are also relatively stable: cumin Tk650, cardamom Tk4,800–Tk5,200, cloves Tk1,600–Tk1,700, cinnamon Tk600, and black pepper Tk150.
Dried chilli has fallen slightly to Tk300–Tk350 per kg.
Local ginger is Tk140, Chinese ginger Tk160, local garlic Tk110, Chinese garlic Tk130, local onion Tk80, and hybrid onion Tk75 per kg.
