Oil, chicken, rice prices increase while vegetable market remains stable

After staying relatively affordable for several months, the prices of edible oil and chicken have started climbing ahead of Ramadan, while the vegetable market has stayed mostly stable. A market survey in Dhaka's Karwan Bazar, Lalbagh and New Market today (30 January) found notable increases in several key commodities.

Loose soybean oil is now selling at around Tk170 per litre, up from about Tk165, and bottled soybean oil has risen from roughly Tk190 to Tk200 per litre. Broiler chicken now commands about Tk170–180 per kg, compared with Tk155–160 per kg a couple of weeks ago, while Sonali chicken is priced around Tk270–300 per kg.

Despite the rises in meat prices, egg prices remain stable, with brown eggs around Tk110 per dozen and white eggs about Tk100 per dozen. Beef is selling at Tk750–780 per kg. 

Rice prices have also jumped unusually early ahead of Ramadan. Polao rice is now being sold at about Tk138–140 per kg in retail markets, and branded packaged rice commands even higher prices. Some coarse and medium rice varieties have shown slight price relief.

Lentil prices had risen in recent weeks but have eased somewhat. Chickpeas are selling at around Tk95–100 per kg, while red gram lentils have fallen by about Tk5 per kg to roughly Tk55–56 per kg, and larger lentil varieties have become cheaper

Overall vegetable prices are mostly unchanged from last week, with many vegetables selling in the Tk40–50 per kg range. Potatoes and tomatoes have become slightly cheaper compared with a week ago. 

Fish prices have not shifted significantly. Depending on size, carp such as Rohu and Catla are selling between roughly Tk300 to Tk450 per kg, while tilapia and koi are about Tk200–240 per kg, and pangas around Tk180–200 per kg. Shrimp remains comparatively expensive, priced between Tk550 and Tk900 per kg depending on size and variety.