Vegetable prices ease, yet onions, edible oil bite into budgets
Loose soybean oil rose from Tk174 to Tk180 per litre. Super palm oil increased from Tk163 to Tk165 per litre.
Highlights:
- Onion prices rise to Tk130–140 per kg
- Bottled soybean oil price increases to Tk198 per litre
- Egg and broiler chicken prices continue to fall
- Flour, lentils and chickpeas become cheaper
- Fish prices remain largely unchanged across markets
Prices of several daily essentials, including vegetables, eggs, chicken and flour, have fallen in Dhaka markets, offering some relief to consumers. However, higher prices of onions and edible oil continue to add pressure on household budgets.
During visits to different markets in the capital on Friday (5 December), local onions were found selling for Tk130–140 per kg, up from Tk120 last week. New onions with leaves were comparatively cheaper at Tk70–80 per kg.
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Shirin Akhter, a shopper at New Market, told TBS, "Vegetable prices are slightly lower than before, but winter vegetables should have been priced lower considering the winter season."
Tarek, a vegetable seller at New Market, said stocks of last season's onions were nearly depleted, leading to a slight rise in the price of old onions.
"However, this will not last long. There is no onion shortage in the market. Onions are available as per demand," he added.
The price of edible oil has also increased. Bottled soybean oil was selling for Tk198 per litre, compared to Tk189 last week. Loose soybean oil rose from Tk174 to Tk180 per litre. Super palm oil increased from Tk163 to Tk165 per litre.
In contrast, prices of several vegetables have declined. Chillies dropped to Tk70–100 per kg from Tk120–150 last week. Beans, which had recently surged above Tk150 per kg, were selling for Tk60–80. Cauliflower and cabbage fell by Tk10 and were available for Tk40–50, while good-quality cauliflower sold for Tk60.
Tomato prices also decreased, selling for Tk80–100 per kg, down from Tk120–140 last week. Increased supply of local carrots reduced their price to Tk60–80 per kg, while imported carrots remained at Tk120–130. Brinjal declined to Tk70–80 per kg from Tk80–100.
New potatoes were selling for Tk80–100 per kg, slightly lower than before, while old potatoes remained unchanged at Tk25 per kg. Bitter gourd prices rose to Tk120–140 per kg.
Egg prices continued to fall, with farm eggs selling for Tk125–130 per dozen, down from Tk130–135 last week. Broiler chicken prices decreased to Tk150–170 per kg from Tk160–180. Beef was selling for Tk750–800 per kg, mutton for Tk1,200, and Pakistani Sonali chicken for Tk300–350.
Flour, lentils and chickpeas also saw a decline. Loose flour dropped to Tk45–48 per kg from Tk48–50. Large-grain lentils were selling for Tk90–100 per kg, compared to Tk95–105 last week. Chickpeas fell by Tk5 per kg to Tk95–110.
Local garlic was selling for Tk140 per kg, and imported garlic for Tk160. Ginger was priced at Tk160–180 per kg depending on quality.
Despite the reductions in vegetable, egg and chicken prices, fish prices remained mostly unchanged. Pangas was selling for Tk180–200 per kg, Rui for Tk320–350, Katla for Tk300–400, Kalibaus for Tk350–400, Koi for Tk180–200, Pabda for Tk350–400 and Tilapia for Tk200–250.
