Rain pushes up prices of vegetables, chicken, and rice
This situation was observed today (25 July) during visits to various retail and wholesale kitchen markets in the capital
Highlights
- Green chili prices remains high at Tk220–240/kg
- Chicken prices rose by Tk10-15 per kg in a week
- Rice prices remain high; medium-grade over Tk60/kg, fine at Tk75–85/kg
- Potatoes cost Tk25–30/kg, onions Tk60–65/kg
Continuous rain since early July has pushed up the prices of all kinds of vegetables, chicken, and rice.
This situation was observed today (25 July) during visits to various retail and wholesale kitchen markets in the capital.
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Among vegetables, eggplants were selling for Tk80–90 per kg. Bitter gourd and yardlong beans were priced at Tk80–100 per kg, while taro stems and taro roots were Tk60–80 per kg. Teasel gourd, ridge gourd, and snake gourd were selling for Tk70–80 per kg. Pointed gourd and okra were available at Tk50–60 per kg, and papaya at Tk30–40 per kg.
The price of green chillies, which rose during heavy rain two weeks ago, remained high. They were priced at Tk220–240 per kg, up from Tk80–100 at the beginning of the month.
Traders said continuous rain has severely affected vegetable production. Due to reduced supply, prices have gone up. "When there is heavy rain, fewer vegetables reach the wholesale markets, so we have to buy them at higher prices," said Taijul Islam, a vegetable seller in Shahjadpur.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, rain from 4 to 14 July damaged vegetables, chilli plants, and seedbeds across many parts of the country. Crops on 18,340 hectares of land were destroyed in at least 20 districts, causing losses of Tk430 crore. Of this, vegetables on 3,520 hectares were affected. The department has not yet released data on damage after that period.
Meanwhile, the price of chicken increased by Tk10–15 per kg in a week and is now selling for Tk160–175 per kg. Most retail sellers were selling a dozen eggs for Tk120, while some neighbourhood grocery stores were charging Tk125-130.
Rice prices, which rose about a month and a half ago, remained high. Medium-grade rice was selling for over Tk60 per kg, and fine rice cost Tk75–85 per kg.
Potatoes were being sold at Tk25–30 per kg, and onions at Tk60–65 per kg.
