Post-Eid bazar: Chicken, beef prices drop by Tk20-30 amid low sales

Most shops in the capital's kitchen markets remained closed today (3 April), on the fourth day of this year's Eid-ul-Fitr, resulting in a low product supply.

Visits to markets in Kallyanpur, Shewrapara, and Karwan Bazar revealed that vendors who had opened shops reported a customer turnout of just one-fourth of the usual volume.

In this slow market, the prices of broiler chicken decreased by Tk20 per kg, Sonali chicken by Tk30, and beef prices dropped by Tk20-30 per kg.

However, vendors noted that fish prices had increased by Tk20-25 per kg. With many Eid holiday-makers still yet to return to Dhaka, they anticipate that the market will not return to normal until Sunday.

On the day before Eid, the price of broiler chicken was Tk220-230 per kg, while sonali chicken was priced at Tk330-350. Today, broiler chicken was sold for Tk200-210 and sonali chicken for Tk300 at Kalyanpur and Karwan Bazar.

Mohammad Jasim, a chicken seller at Kalyanpur's BRTC Market, said, "On the day before Eid, all my sonali chicken was sold by 2pm. Due to the increased demand, prices went up at that time. Now, sonali chicken has dropped by Tk30 per kg, and broiler chicken is selling for Tk200 per kg, down by Tk20."

At Karwan Bazar's kitchen market, where about 20 shops sell beef and mutton, only three shops were open by 4pm yesterday.

Vendor Md Khokon added, "I slaughtered one cow but haven't sold much yet. It's already afternoon. I am selling at Tk780 per kg."

While beef was sold for Tk780 per kg at Karwan Bazar on the day before Eid, prices at Kalyanpur and Hatirpool kitchen market were slightly higher, ranging from Tk800-820 per kg.

At Karwan Bazar's fish market, by 4:30pm, most vendors were idle, with about a quarter of the shops closed.

Fish vendor Mohammad Shahid said, "Fish supply is low, and so is demand. The wholesale price has increased by Tk20-25 per kg, so the retail prices have gone up accordingly. 

He added, "Medium-sized Rui fish are selling for Tk350 per kg, small Pabda fish for Tk350-400 per kg, and medium-sized shrimp for Tk800 per kg."

Vegetable prices drop

Vegetable prices, however, have dropped, with ridge gourd, pointed gourd, and bitter gourd seeing price reductions of Tk20-25 per kg.

Md Faruk, a vendor at Kalyanpur, said, "Bitter gourd is now selling for Tk50 per kg, pointed gourd for Tk40, and ridge gourd for Tk30 per kg – down by Tk20 per kg compared to before Eid."

However, tomato prices remain high, ranging from Tk50-70 per kg.

Eggplants are selling for Tk50-60 per kg, a drop of Tk20 compared to the day before Eid. Due to high demand before Eid, cucumbers were priced at Tk70-100 per kg but are now selling for Tk40-50.

Medium-sized lemons are now priced at Tk40 for four pieces, a Tk20 drop from the day before Eid.