Winter vegetable prices drop in Dhaka markets as supply rises
The increased arrival of winter vegetables has pushed prices down slightly compared to last week
The supply of winter vegetables has increased in Dhaka's kitchen markets, leading to a fall in prices and bringing some relief to consumers, although onion prices remain high.
Visits to New Market, Hatirpool and Lalbagh kitchen markets today (19 December) found that the prices of most vegetables had dropped compared to recent weeks.
Imported onions were selling at Tk90 per kg, down by Tk10, while local old onions, which had been priced at Tk150, were being sold at Tk140 per kg. New onions, which cost Tk90 to Tk100 two days ago, were available at Tk85 to Tk90 per kg.
Onion trader Harun said price stability would return only when the supply of new onions increases fully. He said old onions were still being sold at high rates due to limited supply.
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The increased arrival of winter vegetables has pushed prices down slightly compared to last week. New potatoes, cauliflower and cabbage were being sold at Tk30 per kg. Bottle gourd was priced at Tk50 per kg, papaya at Tk30, and turnip at Tk40 per kg.
Tomatoes were selling at Tk100 per kg, while green chillies and bitter gourd were priced at Tk80 per kg.
Depending on quality, eggplant was selling at Tk60 to Tk80 per kg and beans at Tk50 to Tk60 per kg. Cucumber and carrot were priced at Tk50 per kg, and pointed gourd at Tk80 per kg. Lemons were being sold at Tk30 per hali (four pieces).
Old potatoes continued to be sold at Tk20 to Tk25 per kg.
Tarek, a vegetable seller at New Market, said prices had fallen due to the high supply of winter vegetables.
Nasrin Akter, a housewife shopping at New Market, said daily expenses had decreased slightly because of lower vegetable prices, but full relief had not yet come as onion prices remained high. She said stable prices would be helpful for middle-income families.
Meanwhile, the prices of eggs and chicken have remained unchanged over the past few weeks. Broiler eggs were selling at Tk110 to Tk120 per dozen, while broiler chicken was priced at Tk150 to Tk160 per kg.
This week, the prices of lentils and chickpeas also declined. Large-grain lentils were selling at Tk90 per kg, down from Tk100 last week. Chickpeas dropped by Tk10 to Tk15 per kg and were being sold at Tk100.
However, the price of loose polao rice increased by Tk5 per kg and was being sold at Tk130.
