Vegetable prices ease, sugar and flour get dearer
Increased supplies have since brought down the prices of some vegetables, although the market has yet to offer full relief.
Prices of sugar and flour had risen in Dhaka's kitchen markets, while vegetable prices had eased somewhat, offering limited relief to consumers.
Visits to several markets in the capital and conversations with buyers and sellers today (28 August) found that loose sugar had risen by Tk15 per kg over the previous two weeks, while packaged flour had become Tk10 more expensive.
Meanwhile, supplies of sugar and bottled edible oil had declined, while egg, fish and chicken prices had remained high.
Sugar prices rise amid supply shortage
Loose sugar was selling for Tk115-Tk120 per kg, up Tk5 recently and Tk15 over the previous two weeks.
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Packaged sugar was selling for Tk120-Tk125 per kg, up around Tk10 over the previous week. Its maximum retail price had also increased from Tk110 to Tk120 per kg.
Miraj, a trader in Lalbagh, said dealers had raised the price of a 50kg sack by Tk900-Tk1,000 within a few days.
"Sugar supplies have declined. Many shops do not have sugar in stock, forcing customers to visit several stores to buy packaged sugar," he said.
Traders attributed the rise to higher prices at company, mill-gate and wholesale levels, while supplies from mill gates had also declined.
Packaged flour was selling for Tk80 per kg. Twenty days earlier flour was Tk70 15. The maximum retail price of a 2kg packet had risen from Tk140 to Tk160.
Other essentials remain costly
Egg prices remained high, with a dozen selling for Tk150 and four for Tk50. Some neighbourhood shops were charging up to Tk160 per dozen.
Broiler chicken was selling for Tk180-Tk200 per kg and Sonali chicken for Tk300-Tk320.
Onions remained unchanged at Tk55-Tk60 per kg, while potatoes sold for Tk25-Tk30. Street vendors were offering potatoes at Tk100 for 5kg.
Edible oil supplies decline
Retailers said companies had reduced supplies of bottled soybean oil ahead of a possible price increase, leaving many shops unable to meet demand.
The price of bottled soybean oil, however, remained unchanged at the government-fixed Tk200 per litre. Loose soybean oil sold for Tk185-Tk190 per litre and loose palm oil for Tk165-Tk170.
Vegetables offer some relief
Vegetable prices had declined in recent weeks after many varieties had exceeded Tk100 per kg amid supply shortages.
Eggplant, bitter gourd, yardlong beans, okra, pointed gourd and teasel gourd were selling for Tk80-Tk120 per kg. Cucumbers were cheaper at Tk50-Tk60, though local varieties cost Tk80-Tk100.
Early-season beans remained expensive at Tk180-Tk200 per kg. Papaya sold for Tk30, tomatoes for Tk120-Tk140, and bottle gourds for Tk50-Tk70 each. Taro root cost Tk80 per kg.
Green chilli prices had also fallen, with retail prices at Tk80-Tk120 per kg and wholesale prices in Karwan Bazar at Tk60-Tk70.
Rahat, a vegetable trader, said increased supplies following the resumption of Indian chilli imports had significantly lowered prices.
Rashed, a customer, said he had bought aubergines for Tk100, bitter gourd for Tk80, a small bottle gourd for Tk60 and 250g of chilli for Tk30.
"Everything is expensive. The market is beyond what we can afford," he said.
Fish prices remain high
Tilapia sold for Tk250-Tk260 per kg, pangas Tk230-Tk250, rohu and catla Tk380-Tk420 and shrimp Tk1,000-Tk1,300.
Pabda cost Tk350-Tk400 per kg, large rohu Tk450-Tk500, indigenous koi Tk700-Tk800 and farmed koi Tk300. Farmed shing sold for Tk300-Tk450, depending on size, while medium-sized rohu cost Tk300-Tk350.
