Fish, chicken and vegetable prices surge in Dhaka markets

Prices of essential commodities have risen in the capital’s kitchen markets over the past week, with green chilies, tomatoes, chicken, eggs, fish and several vegetables becoming more expensive.

The price hike was observed during visits to kitchen markets in Hatirpool, Palashi and Fakirapool areas of the capital on Friday (9 October).

Green chilies were selling at Tk 160 per kg, up Tk 40 from Tk 120 last week. Cucumber prices increased by Tk 20 per kg to Tk 100, while tomato prices doubled to Tk 240 per kg from Tk 120 a week ago.

Beans were selling at Tk 180 per kg, while carrots were priced at Tk 140 per kg.

Prices of pointed gourd, snake gourd and okra also increased by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg, reaching Tk 80 per kg.

However, gourd prices declined slightly. Depending on size and variety, gourds that sold for Tk 75 to Tk 80 last week were available for Tk 60 this week.

Brinjal was selling at Tk 120 to Tk 140 per kg, while potatoes and papayas were priced at Tk 30 per kg. Onion prices increased by Tk 10 per kg to Tk 60. Meanwhile, prices of all varieties of leafy vegetables remained unchanged.

There was some relief in meat prices. Beef was selling at Tk 800 per kg, down Tk 50 from the previous week. Mutton prices, however, remained unchanged at Tk 1,300 per kg.

Chicken prices moved in the opposite direction, with all major varieties becoming more expensive.

Broiler chicken was selling at Tk 200 per kg, compared with Tk 160 to Tk 180 last week.

The price of local chicken increased by Tk 100 per kg to Tk 700, up from Tk 600 a week ago.

Layer chicken prices also rose, reaching Tk 400 per kg from Tk 350 in the previous week.

Egg prices are also high. A four-egg set of brown eggs is selling for Tk 52, white eggs for Tk 50, and local duck eggs for Tk 80.

The price of large rohu fish has increased by Tk 100–120 per kilogram compared with last week. Fish that previously sold for Tk 320–400 per kilogram are now selling for Tk 450–500.

Although the prices of other fish have remained unchanged, they are still beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. Coral fish is selling for Tk 950–1,100 per kilogram, tengra for Tk 1,050, pabda for Tk 500–650, and hilsa for Tk 1,100–2,200, depending on size.

Abul Kalam, a rickshaw puller who was shopping at Fakirapul kitchen market, said, “We have to get by somehow on rice and lentils. People like us are facing serious difficulties. Even if I earn Tk 500, I have to spend Tk 70–80 to buy a kilogram of rice when I go to the market. A kilogram of fish costs Tk 250–300, while vegetables cost Tk 80–90 per kilogram. Given the situation we are now facing, we can no longer even afford to eat rice and lentils properly.”

Asked about the reasons behind rising prices, Delwar Hossain, a vegetable trader at Fakirapul kitchen market, told Asia Post, “Transportation costs have increased. Prices of commodities are also rising every week because of syndicates among wholesale traders.”

Lal Mia, a poultry trader at Darbar Traders in Hatirpool kitchen market, told Asia Post, “Chicken prices have increased this week compared with last week because of lower supply. Prices were relatively low earlier, despite rising transportation costs, but they have now gone up. However, the number of customers in the market has also declined.”