Hilsa prices surge ahead of Pahela Baishakh; vegetables, chicken also costlier

Highlights:

• One kg Hilsa sells for up to Tk3,200 amid low supply
• Other fish prices rise by Tk20-Tk50 per kg
• Chicken prices increase, with Sonali reaching Tk430 per kg
• Broiler chicken price jumps by Tk20 in a single day
• Sugar prices increase as market pressure continues

Hilsa prices have surged in Dhaka's kitchen markets ahead of Pahela Baishakh, with no relief in the prices of vegetables, chicken and other essentials, traders and buyers say.

During visits to Lalbagh, New Market and Hatirpool markets yesterday, Hilsa weighing 600-700 grams was selling at Tk2,500 per kg, while 800-900 gram fish was priced at Tk2,800 per kg. Larger Hilsa weighing around one kilogram were selling for Tk3,000 to Tk3,200 per kg.

Nusrat Jahan, a resident of Azimpur, said, "The price for a single Hilsa fish weighing 550 grams was Tk1,380. Prices usually rise around Baishakh, but this year they have gone beyond the reach of buyers like us."

Traders attributed the increase to low supply and higher costs.

Tuhin Mia, a Hilsa seller at New Market, said, "The supply of Hilsa is very low this year. We are buying at higher prices, so we cannot sell at lower rates."

Prices of other fish have also risen, with increases of Tk20 to Tk30 per kg. No fish was selling below Tk220 per kg. Pangas rose to Tk220 per kg from Tk200 the previous day. Rohu weighing around 1.2 kg was selling at Tk320 to Tk350, up from Tk280 three days ago, while larger Rohu increased to Tk420 to Tk450 per kg.

Traders said higher transport costs and reduced supply have pushed up fish prices by Tk20 to Tk50 per kg.

Chicken prices have also increased. Sonali chicken has risen by about Tk80 over the past month to Tk430 per kg, while broiler chicken increased by Tk20 in a day to Tk190 per kg. Before Eid, Sonali chicken sold for Tk340 to Tk350 per kg and broiler for Tk170.

Kawsar Mia, a trader in Lalbagh, said, "We are buying chicken at higher prices and selling accordingly. The price of broiler increased by Tk15 in a day, and Sonali chicken has been rising since Eid."

Vegetable prices have also gone up across the board. Round brinjal is selling at Tk80 per kg, long beans at Tk100, ridge gourd at Tk80, papaya at Tk60, snake gourd and bitter gourd at Tk100, radish at Tk50 and cucumber at Tk60 per kg. Beans are selling at Tk80 per kg and pointed gourd at Tk100.

Other items include okra at Tk80 per kg, green chillies at Tk120 to Tk140, tomatoes at Tk50, pumpkin at Tk50, cabbage at Tk40 per piece and cauliflower at Tk40 to Tk50 per piece. Bottle gourd is selling at Tk70 to Tk80 per piece, moringa at Tk80 to Tk100 per kg and green bananas at Tk40 per hali.

Jahir Miah, a government employee shopping at New Market, said prices of all vegetables have increased compared to last week.

Traders said higher wholesale prices, increased transport costs and seasonal changes have reduced supply, pushing prices up by Tk10 to Tk30 per kg in recent days.

Meanwhile, prices of edible oil and sugar have also risen. Loose soybean oil has increased by about Tk10 per litre and is selling at Tk200 to Tk210, despite a government-fixed price of Tk176. Palm oil is being sold at Tk180 to Tk190 per litre against a fixed price of Tk164.

Retailers said supply from dealers has declined, with orders reportedly not being taken for the past three to four days. Loose sugar is selling at Tk100 to Tk105 per kg, up by around Tk5 from two weeks ago.