Vegetable prices on the rise, fish and meat remain stable

Highlights

• Price hikes are due to decreased winter vegetable supply
• Potato and onion prices have decreased due to abundant supply
• Rice prices, especially fine rice, have seen a slight increase
• Rice market expected to stabilise after new harvest

After the winter season, vegetable prices have started to increase, while the prices of fish and meat have remained stable in the capital's kitchen markets.

The prices of several vegetables, including eggplant, bitter gourd, okra, and pointed gourd, have increased by Tk10-15 per kg. Sellers attribute the rise in prices to the end of the winter season, which has caused a decline in the supply of certain vegetables.

During a visit to various kitchen markets on Friday (14 March), it was observed that beans were priced between Tk70-80, okra between Tk100-120, pointed gourd at Tk100, yardlong bean at Tk100, and bitter gourd at Tk90-100 per kg. 

Last week, these vegetables were priced lower, with bitter gourd selling for Tk60-80, okra for Tk60-90, and beans for Tk60 per kg.

Other vegetables like eggplants are being sold for Tk70-100, ridge gourd, sponge gourd, and snake gourd for Tk60-70, cucumber for Tk50-60, and green chili for Tk70-80 per kg. Cauliflower, cabbage, bottle gourd, and papaya are available for Tk40-60, while tomatoes are priced at Tk25-30 per kg. A bunch of four lemons is being sold for Tk40-80.

Sirajul Islam, a vegetable seller from Shahjadpur, said that the price increase of Tk10-20 per kg is due to the end of the season for some vegetables. However, most vegetables are still being sold at their previous prices.

In contrast, the prices of potatoes and onions have dropped. Potatoes are now priced at Tk20-25 per kg, and local onions are being sold for Tk40-50 per kg. According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), last year, potatoes were sold for Tk35-40 per kg, while onions cost Tk80-100 per kg. Retailers attribute the lower prices to the seasonal abundance of potatoes and onions.

Meanwhile, the prices of broiler chicken (Tk190-200 per kg), Sonali chicken (Tk270-290 per kg), farm brown eggs (Tk120-130 per dozen), and beef (Tk750-780 per kg) remain stable. 

Fish prices also show no significant changes, with Rui and Katla selling for Tk300-400 depending on size, Pabda for Tk330-350, tilapia for Tk170-200, small Pangash for Tk170-180, and larger Pangash for Tk200-220.

In the rice market, however, there has been a slight increase. A 50kg sack of fine rice is now priced at Tk4,200, up from Tk3,950- 4,000 just ten days ago. BRRI-28 rice is being sold at Tk3,100 for a 50 kg sack, Swarna rice ranges from Tk1,650 to 2,700 per sack, and Paijam rice is priced between Tk2,800 and 2,850 per sack.

Mohammad Shaown Mahmud, the owner of Noakhali Rice Agency in Karwan Bazar, said that the price of fine rice has risen due to the end of the season. The price has increased by Tk4 per kg and Tk200 per sack. 

He added that once the new crop is harvested in the next two months, the fine rice market will stabilise.