Flour, tea prices rise as egg, broiler see slight drop; Vegetables still costly but stable

Prices of flour, wheat flour, and tea have increased in Dhaka's kitchen markets, while vegetables remain costly though stable. In contrast, sugar, eggs, and broiler chicken saw slight price declines.

Visits to Karwan Bazar, Hatirpool, and Palashi kitchen markets today (31 October) showed 2-kg branded flour packets (Teer, Fresh, Swad, Bashundhara, ACI) selling for up to Tk130, up from Tk105-110 just two weeks ago. Loose flour has also become costlier, rising by Tk5 to Tk50 per kg. Wheat flour mirrors this trend, with Teer and Fresh 2-kg packs now priced at a maximum of Tk140.

Restaurant and bakery owners say the surge is hurting businesses. "Flour and wheat flour are fundamental to almost everything we make – roti, paratha, naan, tandoori items, bread, cakes, pastries," said a Hatirpool restaurateur. "When flour prices rise, our production cost jumps. Many shops are forced to raise prices, while others decrease portion sizes."

With winter approaching, tea prices have also increased. Loose tea is selling at Tk440 per kg, while packaged varieties such as Seylon Gold (500g) and Ispahani Mirzapur (500g) are priced at Tk240 and Tk270 respectively. Sellers, however, expect no immediate further rise in loose tea.

Soybean oil prices have climbed at the dealer and wholesale levels. A 5-litre bottle of soybean oil now costs dealers Tk15 more than before, shrinking their profit margins, said a Rupchanda dealer at Karwan Bazar. Retail prices are yet to reflect this hike.

Earlier on 13 October, the prices of soybean and palm oil were hiked in the local market, with increases ranging from Tk6 to Tk13 per litre.

Vegetables remain costly but stable, with sellers expecting prices to fall soon as winter approaches. Cauliflower and cabbage are selling for Tk70-80 depending on size, radish for Tk60 per kg, and most other vegetables for Tk60-80 per kg.

On the contrary, sugar prices have eased slightly, dropping Tk5 from last week, now retailing at Tk100-105 per kg.

Broiler chicken prices have fallen by Tk10 per kg and Sonali chicken by Tk20 compared to last week. Broilers are now selling for Tk160-170 per kg, while Sonali varieties range from Tk260 to Tk300. However, beef remains steady at Tk750 per kg.

Compared to last week, egg prices have dropped by Tk5-10 per dozen. Farm red eggs are selling for Tk135 per dozen, while duck eggs are priced at Tk220 per dozen.