United News of Bangladesh

The prices of green chilli increased suddenly by Tk100 per kg in the kitchen market of Dhaka amid holiday mood in the city. Talking with the correspondent, Abdul Hai, a street vendor of vegetables in the Segun Bagicha areas of the capital, stated on Thursday that the prices of green chillies have increased by Tk100 per kg in the wholesale market. As a result, they are selling green chilli by Tk300 to 320 per kg, which was Tk 200 per kg yesterday (Wednesday). Not only green chilli but also the prices of almost all vegetables increased by Tk10 to 20 per kg on Thursday. The traders have blamed rainy weather and the short supply of vegetables in the wholesale market. Alauddin Hawlader told UNB that the prices of almost all vegetables increased as the farmers are not picking/collecting vegetables from the field during the rains. Besides, vegetable fields of low-lying areas are remaining underwater, and the vegetables of the surrounding Dhaka were damaged by waterlogging. This adverse weather in late autumn has affected the vegetable field and early cultivated winter vegetables fields, he said. The consecutive days of rain have resulted in damaged harvests, pushing the prices of most vegetables above the Tk 80 per kg mark, with most seeing an increase of Tk 10 to Tk 20 from the previous week. The rising trend was observed during a market visit conducted by UNB reporters on Thursday across major city markets, including Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali, Hatirpool, Fakirapool, and Gopibag.

The prices of vegetables in Dhaka’s kitchen markets have shown no sign of decline throughout the month, forcing consumers to reduce purchases to 250–500 grams instead of one kilogram. Frustrated buyers say the soaring prices have put additional pressure on their daily expenses. A visit to several wholesale and retail markets in the capital on Friday revealed that vegetable prices remain unchanged from last week. Hyacinth bean (shim) is being sold at the highest rate—Tk 200 per kg—while good quality round brinjal is going for Tk 150 a kg. Tomatoes and carrots are also selling for more than Tk 150 per kg. “One round brinjal weighs more than 250 grams. That means each piece costs Tk 40–50. We cannot afford to buy more than two,” said Sumona Akhter Ruby, a shopper at Uttar Badda kitchen market. Another consumer, Monsur Ahmed, said, “A quarter kilo of hyacinth bean costs Tk 50. Tomatoes are almost the same. With Tk 500, vegetables don’t last even two days for a family of four.” Prices of chicken, beef, milk, cucumber, and vegetables increase ahead of Eid Among other vegetables, yardlong beans (barboti) are selling at Tk 120–80 a kg, while sponge gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd and okra are priced at Tk 80–100 a kg. Bottle gourd is selling for Tk 100–120 per piece and jali kumra for Tk 50–70 each. Traders said that previously they did not sell less than half a kilo of vegetables, but due to the high prices, they are now selling in 250-gram portions. “As wholesale prices are still high and supply is limited, we are forced to buy at higher rates. Sales are also lower now,” said Asadul, a vegetable seller at Motijheel AGB Colony market. The price of leafy greens has also gone up in line with vegetables. Just a month ago, spinach, water spinach and stem amaranth were Tk 10 per bunch, but now they are Tk 20. Pumpkin leaf, bottle gourd leaf and Malabar spinach (puishak) are being sold for Tk 50 a bunch. A visit to Karwan Bazar wholesale hub, however, showed that prices have dropped by Tk 10–15 per kg compared to last week, though this decline has not been reflected in the retail markets. The prices of small fish have also surged. Kachki fish is selling at Tk 600–800 a kg, river shrimp at Tk 1,000–1,200, local koi at Tk 800–1,000, punti at Tk 650–750 and gunchi at Tk 700 a kg. Despite an abundant supply of hilsa in the market, the prices remain beyond the reach of most middle-income consumers. Large hilsa is selling for Tk 2,200–2,500 a kg, medium-sized for Tk 1,800–2,000, and small ones for Tk 1,200–1,500. Prices of winter vegetables drop in Khulna, essentials continue to rise In the meat market, chicken prices remain unchanged—sonali chicken is selling for Tk 300–320 a kg, broiler at Tk 170, and local chicken between Tk 550 and 650 depending on location. Beef is selling at Tk 750–800 a kg, while mutton is priced at Tk 1,000–1,200 per kg. Consumers expressed frustration, saying that unless vegetable prices fall, it will be increasingly difficult to manage household expenses as a large portion of their monthly income is being spent on groceries.

The prices of vegetables remained high in the capital’s kitchen markets over the past three weeks, with most varieties selling above Tk 100 per kilogramme, leaving consumers frustrated. During visits to kitchen markets in Motijheel, Shantinagar, Malibagh, Rampura and Badda on Friday, many buyers were seen expressing anger over the spiralling prices. “Brinjal is still being sold at Tk 200 per kg. How is this even possible? Pointed gourd (Potol) that usually sells at Tk 50 a kg has now doubled in price,” said Shahnima Akter, a buyer at kitchen market in Badda area. “If the prices remain like this, how will low-income people afford vegetables?” she asked. Good quality round brinjal was found selling between Tk 180–220 per kg, long brinjal at Tk 140–160, and white brinjal at Tk 100–120 per kg. Other vegetables also witnessed price hikes. Pointed gourd was selling at Tk 80–100 a kg, teasel gourd at Tk 100, yardlong beans at Tk 100–120, ridge gourd at Tk 80–100, and bitter gourd at Tk 80–120 per kg. Vegetable prices soar in Dhaka's kitchen markets; no item below Tk 80 Tomato was being sold at Tk 160–180 per kg, cucumber at Tk 80–100, and carrot at Tk 140–180. Bottle gourd was priced between Tk 80–120 per piece, while ash gourd was selling at Tk 80–100. Papaya was the cheapest among vegetables, though its price rose by Tk 10 in the past week to Tk 40 per kg. Newly harvested beans entered the market at higher prices, selling at Tk 240–280 per kg. “Compared to other times, supply of vegetables has dropped by half. This season usually sees lower supply, and on top of that, extra tolls are being charged at different points. That’s why the prices are so high,” alleged Aslam, a vegetable trader in North Badda. Another trader, Monsur, said supply is likely to increase from mid-September, which may bring prices down slightly. Until then, consumers will have to bear with higher rates. Leafy greens have also become pricier. A bundle of water spinach, spinach or helencha, previously sold at Tk 10, was now priced at Tk 15–20. Bottle gourd and pumpkin leaves were selling at Tk 50–70 a bundle, up from Tk 30–40 earlier. Green chili was still selling at high prices — Tk 200–250 per kg. Onion prices eased slightly, retailing at Tk 65–70 per kg, while garlic was selling between Tk 120–180. Lentil prices, however, increased — with coarse lentils selling at Tk 140 and finer varieties at Tk 160 per kg. Prices of chicken, beef, mutton, and eggs remained unchanged. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk 170–180 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk 300–320, and local chicken between Tk 580–650 per kg depending on size. A dozen brown eggs were selling at Tk 150 and white eggs at Tk 140. Beef was selling at Tk 750–800 per kg, while mutton was selling between Tk 900–1,100. Prices of chicken, fish rise in Dhaka’s kitchen markets Fish prices also showed little change. Hilsa remained highly priced, with fish weighing over one kg selling at Tk 2,500–2,800 per kg, one-kg hilsa at Tk 2,300–2,500, hilsa below one kg at Tk 1,600–1,800, and smaller ones at Tk 800–1,200. Giant freshwater prawns (golda) were selling between Tk 1,200–1,500 per kg, while tiger prawns (bagda) were priced at Tk 800–1,000. Rui was selling at Tk 300–350 per kg, catla at Tk 350–400, kalibaush at Tk 320–380, and tilapia at Tk 220–260. Market insiders said unless vegetable prices come down, the overall market will not return to stability. They also warned that persistent high prices of eggs, chicken, and fish may push up food inflation further next month.

Although prices of some varieties of vegetables have slightly decreased, most other items are being sold for Tk 80 to Tk 120 per kilogram in Manikganj kitchen markets. During a visit to the markets on Friday morning, it was seen that ridge gourd, snake gourd, brinjal, and pointed gourd were selling at Tk 80 per kg, while yardlong beans and drumsticks were priced at Tk 120 per kg. The prices of potatoes and onions remain unchanged, with potatoes selling at Tk 25 per kg and onions at Tk 60 per kg. Green chilies and tomatoes are both being sold at Tk 80 per kg. Local garlic is priced at Tk 120 per kg, Chinese one at Tk 240, ginger at Tk 120, and turmeric at a high of Tk 400 per kg. Road crash in Pabna leaves 2 SSC candidates dead  However, the prices of okra, bitter gourd, and cucumber have fallen by Tk 20 per kg, now selling at Tk 60. The price of lemons has also dropped. Egg prices have gone down as well. A set of four brown eggs is being sold at Tk 45, while white eggs are priced at Tk 40 per. Beef is being sold at the government-fixed price of Tk 800 per kg, while mutton is Tk 1,200 and goat meat Tk 1,000 per kg. Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 190 per kg. Fish prices have risen by Tk 20 to Tk 50 per kg. Vendors claimed that the price hike is due to a decline in river fish availability. Consumers complained that prices at the Manikganj kitchen markets were higher on Friday compared to other days, alleging that due to a lack of market monitoring, sellers are setting prices at their own will. Two SSC examinees hacked on way to exam centre in Faridpur On the other hand, vendors claim that high wholesale prices are forcing them to sell at increased rates in the retail market.    

Despite an ample supply of winter vegetables, their prices are soaring day by day, making it difficult for low- to middle-income people to have them on their plates. As November comes to an end and December approaches, winter vegetables have started arriving in Khulna's markets. Within a month, the prices of vegetables and other essential items have spiralled out of control. People can hardly purchase any vegetables below Tk 70 per kilogramme. Even after reducing the tariffs on onions and potatoes, there has been no noticeable impact on Khulna’s market prices. Despite the drive by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, the prices remain beyond control, leaving low-income buyers struggling. The sharp rise in prices has created a crisis for people from lower- and middle-income groups. During a recent visit to different kitchen markets in Khulna city on Wednesday and Thursday, new potatoes were being sold at Tk 100, while old potatoes were being sold at Tk 75. Local variety onions were being sold at Tk 130, while Indian onions were priced at Tk 100 per kilogramme. Rice prices to come down with new Aman rice in market, hopes Food Adviser

The prices of winter vegetables except potato decreased slightly as the supply  increased but meat and fish prices were still high in the kitchen market of the capital on Friday. Though the prices of vegetables have decreased, it was selling Tk 20 to 30 per kg higher compared with the same period of the last year. Comparatively, vegetables and all other commodities are exactly higher this year, than recent previous years, said Harun-Ur Rashid, a retired employee of the government. Talking with the UNB at Karwan Bazar kitchen market, he said potato, tomato, and carrot prices usually remain between Tk20 to 40 per kg during this time of season. But these items are selling between Tk60 to 70 per kg based on quality. Record jump in prices of onion, potatoes, and vegetables: CAB blames syndicated business These additional prices have become a burden for retired and fixed-income groups. Thus decreasing the prices of vegetables by Tk10 to 20 per kg iscnot bringing any relief to the consumers, he said. However, almost all winter vegetables were selling between Tk40 to 70 per kg in the Karwan Bazar on Friday. Potato was selling at Tk60 to 70 per kg, onion at Tk70 to per kg-based quality, garlic at Tk220 per kg, and ginger at Tk200 to 240 per kg in different markets of the capital. On the other hand, discomfort remains in the fish and meat market. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk200-220 per kg, and Sonaly chicken (Pakistani variety) at Tk320-340 per kg. Beef, which was sold at Tk 650 in many places a couple of weeks ago, is now being sold at Tk 700 per kg everywhere. Vegetable prices go up in Dhaka citing short supply after rain damaged fields Per dozen brown eggs (hens) at Tk135 to140, 5-10 taka less white eggs. Duck eggs were selling for Tk 180 to 190 per dozen while eggs of indigenous domestic rearing chicken were selling at Tk210 per dozen. The prices of fish are higher now compared with a few months ago. However, Tilapia, pangas, and carp were selling between Tk220 to 260 per kg. Among other fish, the price of medium size weighing 1.5 kg to 2 kg farming Rui, Katla, and Mrigel fish was selling at Tk 300 to Tk 400 per kg. Also, Pabda, Tengra, Koi, sheat (Boal),, chital, and Hilsa fish are not below Tk600 per kg. The bigger size fish prices like coral, Boal, and river pangas were selling between Tk700 to 1100 per kg at Karwan Bazar. Asked about the price hike,  Director General of the Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP) AHM Shafiquzzama told UNB that his office will launch a drive against the unusual price hike of these essentials. Winter is coming, vegetable prices will come down: Agri Minister He also said that a few months ago he asked different ministries and directorates to take steps to increase the supply of essentials including onions and potatoes to control prices. Shafiquzzama said during a visit to different cold storage in different districts he found enough stock of potatoes, despite the price increase. If the higher price of onion and potato continue, the government will decide to import those items, he said. Consumers Association of Bangladesh vice-president SM Nazer Hossain said consumers in Bangladesh are having a hard time amid record prices of commodities due to higher inflation. Farm egg, broiler chicken, and cultured fish are key protein sources for millions of poor in the country, he said. Prices of all such products have increased forcing a vast population to cut their protein and other nutrition-rich food intake, Nazer said.

Defying the government’s fixed rate of Tk 30 per kg, traders are selling potatoes at double prices in the kitchen markets of the capital, pinching the pockets of customers.

Vegetable prices have gone up at the kitchen markets of flood-hit Kurigram district, taking it out of the reach of poor people.

The prices of winter vegetables have started falling at kitchen markets in the capital with their supply glut.