Chandpur sees price jump after Eid: Veggies pricier, Hilsa unaffordable

Despite steady supplies of vegetables in Chandpur's kitchen markets, the prices of essentials have surged sharply following Eid-ul-Fitr, dealing a severe blow to low-income residents and daily wage earners.

A recent market visit revealed that items like onions, garlic and a variety of green vegetables are available in adequate quantities. But that has not translated into price relief for consumers.

Onions, for instance, are now selling at Tk55–60 per kg, marking a sharp rise from Tk30–35 just a month ago.

Local traders were unable to clearly explain the reason behind this steep hike, though some predicted further increases in the coming days.

Buyers, particularly those with limited income, expressed their mounting frustration.

At Wireless Bazar, several daily wage earners and buyers from various professions, including mason Mofiz, Faruk, Jumman, Kabir Hossain, Tajul Islam Khandakar and madrasa office staff Atikur Rahman, shared their concerns about the rising cost of daily essentials.

"The prices of everything have gone up suddenly. We're struggling to manage basic groceries," said one shopper.

Vegetable prices, in particular, have seen notable hikes. While potatoes remain stable at Tk20 per kg, spiny gourd is selling at Tk110 per kg, pointed gourd and ridge gourd at Tk70 per kg, and long beans at Tk70 per kg. Carrots are being sold at Tk40–45 per kg, sponge gourd at Tk60, green chilies at Tk100, and coriander leaves at a steep Tk125 per kg. Garlic is priced between Tk120–130 per kg, and papaya is going for Tk80 per kg.

Bitter gourd is available at Tk40 per kg, tomatoes at Tk35–40, ladies finger at Tk60, and pumpkin at Tk40 per kg. Sweet potatoes are priced at Tk60 per kg, while medium-sized bottle gourds and wax gourds range from Tk50–80 apiece.

Among leafy greens, red and green spinach are both selling at Tk40 per kg. Taro root stems are priced at Tk70 per kg, as are taro roots themselves. Cucumbers are selling at Tk60 per kg, and four raw bananas cost Tk40.

Eggplants also reflect the price surge, with long black varieties at Tk70 and round ones at Tk80 per kg. Lemons (medium-sized) are being sold at Tk20–25 for four, while the smaller ones are priced at Tk40 per kg.

Meanwhile, edible oil prices remain high, with mustard oil is retailing at Tk 300 per litre and soybean oil at Tk 190.

Despite the steep market rates, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Chandpur claims that the district has met its onion production targets.

Mobarak Hossain, upazila agriculture officer, informed that onions were cultivated on 750 hectares this year, yielding 8,811.6 tonnes. Garlic was grown on 360 hectares, producing 2,962.25 tonnes.

At local fish markets, including Biponibag, the scene isn't any better. Fish prices have also soared, with hilsa becoming increasingly unaffordable.

Medium-sized shrimp are now going for Tk 1,000 per kg, while catfish (shing/magur) are priced at Tk 750–800 per kg. Locally farmed pangas fish are selling at Tk 220 per kg, and small fish like kachki and boicha at Tk 500 per kg. Tilapia is being sold at Tk 280 per kg.

Hilsa, a staple favourite in the region, is now beyond the reach of most buyers. A 1-kg hilsa is priced at Tk 3,300, while 500–600 gram ones cost Tk 2,000 per kg. The smaller varieties—three per kg—are retailing at Tk 1,300–1,400 per kg.

Fish traders including Delwar Hossain, Abdul Hamid Babu, Abul Hossain Mia, Lokkhon Das, and Zakir Hossain blamed the high prices on reduced hilsa supply at major depots such as Horinaghat and Anandabazar.

Shabebarat Sarkar, president of the Matshya Banik Samity, and senior trader Nurul Islam Bakul, noted that most major depots have not resumed full-scale operations after the recent hilsa fishing ban.

With the ongoing marine fishing ban still in effect, hilsa supply from southern coastal areas, including Bhola, Hatia, and Charfassion, has been minimal. On average, only 2–2.5 maunds of Padma hilsa reach Chandpur markets each day.

Traders expect the situation to improve around June–July, when monsoon rains and river currents create more favourable conditions for hilsa fishing.