Rice, vegetable prices rise in Dhaka; local onions offer slight relief
Local red lentils surge by up to Tk20 per kg; Chicken prices rise, but egg prices remain stable
Rice and vegetable prices in Dhaka's retail markets have increased within a week, with several varieties of rice rising by Tk3–5 per kg and most winter vegetables becoming costlier.
Onions, meanwhile, showed slight relief. Local onions fell by Tk5 per kg to Tk45, while imported Indian onions remained stable at Tk65–70 per kg.
Visits to New Market, Hatirpool and Karwan Bazar today (9 January) showed that Miniket and Nazirshail rice prices have increased by up to Tk5 per kg.
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Manjur and Sagar brand Miniket rice rose by Tk3–4 per kg and was selling at Tk83–84, while Rashid Miniket increased from Tk72 to Tk75.
Non-brand Miniket reached Tk65–70, and high-end Mozammel Miniket rose by Tk1–2 to Tk85–86.
Nazirshail rice prices also increased. Depending on the variety, local Nazirshail rice sold at Tk72–85 per kg—Tk3–4 higher than last week. Imported Nazirshail rice increased by up to Tk3 per kg, reaching Tk75–78.
Retailers said that rice from Aush, Aman and Nazirshail paddy has already started entering the market and supply is expected to rise within a week.
They noted that despite expectations of a price reduction before new rice arrives in retail shops, the price of old rice has instead increased.
Sagar Hossain, a retailer at Karwan Bazar, said old rice prices usually rise by Tk1–2 per kg when new rice enters the market.
"This time, before new rice has even arrived, the price of old rice has increased by Tk3–4," he said, adding that prices may rise further.
Alongside rice, vegetable prices increased across most categories.
Green chillies rose by Tk20 per kg to Tk120, while cucumbers increased by Tk10–20 to Tk110–120 per kg. Cauliflower is sold at Tk40 per piece and cabbage at Tk45–50, both Tk10–15 higher than the previous week.
Beans were sold at Tk40–50 per kg after rising by Tk10–20, radish at Tk50, tomatoes at Tk90–100 after a Tk20–30 increase, and bitter gourd at Tk80–85 following a Tk10–15 rise.
A vegetable seller from Lalbagh said supply disruptions caused by fog had pushed up prices.
"Within a week, most winter vegetables have increased by Tk10–30," he said.
Chicken prices also increased, though eggs remained unchanged at Tk110 per dozen in Dhaka markets.
Pakistani chicken rose by Tk20 to Tk260–270 per kg, local chicken increased to Tk580–600 from around Tk550 last week, and broiler chicken rose to Tk160–165 after a Tk10–15 increase.
