No post-Eid relief as meat prices remain high, vegetables edge up

Despite Eid-ul-Fitr being over, the prices of some essential commodities have not stabilised, with meat and poultry prices remaining high and some vegetables becoming costlier due to limited supply.

A visit to retail markets, including New Market and Lalbagh, in the capital today (27 March) showed this picture.

Chicken prices remain high

Broiler chicken is currently being sold at Tk200 to Tk210 per kg. During the days leading up to Eid and during Eid, prices had risen to Tk230 to Tk240.

However, Sonali chicken prices have not decreased and are being sold at Tk360 to Tk380 per kg. Layer chicken is priced at Tk320 and Pakistani chicken at Tk390 per kg.

Beef and mutton still costly

Beef and mutton are still being sold at higher prices. Beef is being sold at Tk820 to Tk850 per kg, up from Tk750 to Tk780 before Eid.

Shariful, a customer in Lalbagh, told The Business Standard that he had expected prices to fall after Eid, but that has not happened. He said meat and chicken prices remain high and that he has to buy them regardless, as he has guests at home.

Traders said beef prices have increased due to higher demand across the country during Eid. Prices are not falling yet as supply from rural areas has not returned to normal, they added.

Sentu, a meat seller in Lalbagh, said prices may remain at this level for a few more days. 

He added that with Eid-ul-Azha ahead, if cattle prices do not fall, meat prices are also unlikely to decrease.

Mutton is being sold at Tk1,200 per kg, which is Tk50 to Tk100 higher than a few weeks before Eid.

Eggs and onions stable

There is some relief in the egg market. Farm eggs are being sold at Tk105 to Tk110 per dozen, depending on the market, down from Tk115 to Tk120 before Eid.

Onion prices remain stable at Tk35 to Tk40 per kg.

Vegetable prices rise

The prices of some vegetables have remained unchanged while others have increased. Eggplant, which was sold at Tk60 to Tk70 before Eid, is now priced at Tk70 to Tk80 depending on quality. Cucumber has risen from Tk40 to Tk50 to Tk50 to Tk60 per kg. Tomatoes have increased from Tk35 to Tk50 to Tk50 to Tk60 per kg.

Green chilli is being sold at Tk50 per kg, beans at Tk45 to Tk60, small sweet pumpkin at Tk50 to Tk60 each, carrots at Tk40 to Tk50, okra at Tk80 to Tk100, and sponge gourd, ridge gourd and snake gourd at Tk70 to Tk80 per kg.

Traders said prices have increased due to reduced supply during the Eid holidays and higher transport costs. They expect prices to fall once supply normalises.

Fish prices unchanged

Fish supply has decreased slightly after Eid. However, prices remain unchanged due to limited demand.

Rui is being sold at Tk350 to Tk420 per kg, catla at Tk320 to Tk380, tilapia at Tk200 to Tk280, pangas at Tk180 to Tk250, and shing at Tk400 per kg. Farmed and local koi are being sold at Tk300 to Tk600 per kg.

Among other fish, small shrimp is being sold at Tk300 to Tk350, kachki at Tk450 to Tk500, mola at Tk300 to Tk350, pabda at Tk300 to Tk600, and giant freshwater prawn at Tk650 to Tk750 per kg.

Despite demand, spice prices remain mostly stable.