Low-income households feel the squeeze as they battle rising food prices
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that 36% of low-income individuals in Bangladesh are facing food insecurity. The recent floods have put significant pressure on agriculture and the overall economy, leading to a 37% reduction in household incomes
Rickshaw puller Md Harun is desperately hoping for a miracle to raise Tk15,000.
The amount is needed to remove the intramedullary rods doctors inserted into his left leg six months ago after a rickshaw accident caused a severe fracture.
With rising food prices and unable to work, Harun remains bedridden in their home in the Kallyanpur slum, uncertain about what lies ahead.
Harun's wife, Golanur Begum, holds a small handful of pointed gourds and tells The Business Standard that those were the only food they had left to go with rice.
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Golanur, a domestic worker, says she now earns only Tk1,000, which is nowhere near enough to cover their household expenses.
"We're three months behind on rent, owing Tk7,500. We survive on the kindness of neighbours, but I don't know how long we can continue like this," says Golanur.
Unfortunately, Golanur does not have a TCB card that would allow her to purchase government-subsidised essentials. TCB cardholders can buy 5 kg of rice at Tk30 per kg, 2 litres of edible oil at Tk100 per litre, and 2 kg of lentils at Tk60 per kg.
"We live in the part of the Kallyanpur slum known as BNP Goli because it is considered to be resided by BNP supporters. Therefore, the Awami League government never extended any benefits to us. I've been living here for four years without any support," she claims.
Bricklayer Md Zakaria lives in the same slum area and is fortunate to have a job, earning Tk800 daily. However, work has been scarce for the past three months, now averaging just four days a week.
"I spend Tk2,500 for rent and Tk1,400 for cooking gas. Due to rising food prices, we haven't eaten chicken in nearly a month and have last bought eggs 12 days ago," says Zakaria.
"Everything, from rice and eggs to fish and vegetables, has become more expensive," adds Zakaria. Broiler chicken is now Tk200 per kilogram, and four pieces of eggs cost Tk60.
"The price of rice has increased from Tk60 to Tk65 per kilogram, forcing me to buy lower-quality rice at Tk60. Even low-quality vegetables cost around Tk80 per kg, while fresh produce is priced at Tk100 per kg," he says.
TBS spoke with around 30 low-income families in the capital on Monday, revealing that rising prices have made it increasingly difficult for them to afford essentials.
Some families said they can no longer send their children to school due to escalating costs and some have even stopped purchasing medicine.
The struggle goes beyond slums. Abu Taleb, a motorcycle rideshare driver, has seen his monthly earnings fall from Tk30,000 to Tk25,000 in the past 5-6 months.
Living in a one-room sublet in Khilgaon, he pays Tk7,500 in rent. Despite his son passing the SSC exam, Taleb cannot afford to enrol him in college, and his daughter in tenth grade faces the same bleak future. Additionally, he sends Tk3,000 each month to support his elderly mother in Sirajganj.
"Vegetable prices have doubled to Tk100 per kg, and this year, I couldn't buy the hilsa fish and other foods my children desired," Taleb laments.
Growing food insecurity
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that 36% of low-income individuals in Bangladesh are facing food insecurity. The recent floods have put significant pressure on agriculture and the overall economy, leading to a 37% reduction in household incomes.
The report, published on 9 October, reveals that overall food insecurity affects 20% of the population. It says the national average food security situation has remained unstable due to increased flooding across various regions.
The survey indicates that 30% of households are consuming less food than needed due to rising prices, with 42% forced to take loans to buy food. Besides, 26% are cutting health expenses, while 17% are depleting savings.
Rising essential costs
Traders attribute rising prices to crop damage caused by continuous rain, leading to decreased vegetable production. Many farmers couldn't plant winter crops, and those who did faced losses, further driving up prices.
Despite government-set price ceilings, eggs and chicken are still selling above regulated rates.
In Karwan Bazar, customer Subhas Saha remarks, "I used to buy a kilogram of eggplants, but now I can only afford half of that. I used to eat two eggs a week, now I'm down to one."
Expressing frustration, he says, "The government claims it will lower prices, but we see no change. I've heard about student-led market monitoring, but I don't see them here. My salary isn't increasing, yet expenses are rising."
On 14 October, Commerce Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed visited Karwan Bazar for monitoring. He acknowledged the public's concern over rising prices and stated, "We are not satisfied with the price hikes and are working to alleviate consumers' struggles."
He added that any excessive profiteering would be firmly addressed by the task force.
Meanwhile, the government launched a program yesterday to sell essential items at significantly reduced prices in various areas of Dhaka.
Under this initiative, customers can purchase one kilogram of potatoes for Tk30, a dozen eggs for Tk130, one kilogram of onions for Tk70, and papayas for Tk20 among others.
