‘My throat dries up when I hear the prices while shopping’
Md. Aslam was selling vegetables at Karwan Bazar. Photo: Agamir Somoy
Prices of some vegetables have fallen at the capital’s Karwan Bazar compared with the past few days. In particular, the price of green chilies has dropped after supplies began arriving from India. However, shoppers said there is still no relief from the prices of fish, meat and chicken. As a result, although prices of some products have declined, overall market prices have not returned to a comfortable level.
A visit to Karwan Bazar on Tuesday found green chilies selling for Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kilogram. Just a day earlier, chilies were priced at Tk 200 per kilogram. Tomatoes were selling for Tk 130 per kilogram, cucumbers for Tk 60 and papayas for Tk 30.
Vegetable seller Md. Aslam told Agamir Somoy, ‘Today, the prices of everything are comparatively lower. I was selling chilies for Tk 200 even yesterday. Today, they are selling for Tk 120. Whenever prices rise, everyone blames us. But no one sees the losses we suffer when prices suddenly fall.’
Picture: Agamir Somoy
Another seller, Borhan, gave a similar account. ‘The price has fallen after green chilies started coming from India. Trucks carrying Indian chilies arrive at the market at night. However, since we still have chilies that we bought at higher prices, we are suffering losses by selling them at lower prices.’
Md. Nazrul, a private sector employee, regularly shops at Karwan Bazar. He said, ‘They are saying that vegetable prices have fallen. But when I come to shop, my throat dries up when I hear the prices. Fish and meat are always expensive. Now I also have to think twice before buying vegetables, whether I will have enough money.’
A visit to the fish market that day found walking catfish selling for Tk 350 to Tk 450 per kilogram, depending on size. Rohu weighing 2 kilograms was selling for Tk 400 per kilogram. Hilsa was priced at Tk 1,800 to Tk 2,200 per kilogram, depending on size. Hilsa weighing 700 to 800 grams was selling for Tk 1,800 per kilogram. Hilsa weighing more than 1 kilogram was selling for Tk 2,200 per kilogram. Mrigal weighing 4 to 5 kilograms was selling for Tk 550 per kilogram.
Hilsa was selling for Tk 2,200 per kilogram.
Obaidul Rahman, a resident of the Rajabazar area, said shoppers have to calculate carefully before buying fish and meat after hearing the prices at the market. Although prices of essential goods have fallen somewhat, he said it has become difficult to buy everything according to the needs of his family.
A visit to the meat market that day found mutton selling for Tk 1,200 per kilogram. Beef was selling for Tk 750 to Tk 800 per kilogram, depending on the market. Broiler chicken was selling for Tk 190 per kilogram, color bird chicken for Tk 300 and Sonali chicken for Tk 320.
Regarding fluctuations in market prices, Shamim Ahmed Helal, deputy director of the Field Services Wing of the Department of Agricultural Extension, Monitoring and Coordination, said prices of green chilies have fallen significantly as regular supplies are now arriving from India. He also said prices are likely to fall further in the coming days.
Regarding the creation of an artificial shortage by stockpiling vegetables such as chilies, he told Agamir Somoy, ‘Those who stockpile and sell these products are criminals. Those who raised the price of chilies using rain as an excuse are harmful to the country.’
The official also said those who illegally stockpiled the products are now claiming losses because prices have fallen.
