Citizens Sruggle to Cling to Life Amid Rising Commodity Prices

With shopping bags in hand but no relief in sight, ordinary people are struggling to feed themselves amid high prices of essential commodities at Dhaka's Karwan Bazar.

The prices of almost all daily necessities—including vegetables, fish, and poultry—remain steep. Shoppers are moving from one stall to another but find no respite; many are forced to cut down their lists and buy less than they need to stay within budget.

A visit to Karwan Bazar on Sunday morning revealed that stability has yet to return to the vegetable market. Eggplant prices are among the highest, with long eggplants selling for Tk80–Tk100 per kg, while large round eggplants have reached Tk130–Tk150. Teasle gourd (kakrol) is also being sold at Tk100–Tk120 per kg.

Additionally, tomatoes were seen selling for Tk60–Tk70, long beans and ribbed gourd at Tk60–Tk80 and pointed gourd (potol) at Tk 60–Tk70. Green chilies are priced at Tk120 per kg. Many consumers complained that the prices of bitter gourd and bottle gourd are also drifting beyond their reach.

However, there is some relief in the potato and onion markets. New potatoes are selling for Tk20–Tk25 per kg, while local onions are priced at Tk35–Tk40.

The fish market also shows an upward trend. Farmed Pangas is selling for Tk220–Tk230, Tilapia for Tk250–Tk260, and Ruhi for Tk400–Tk420. Prices for local (indigenous) fish are even higher, with most varieties unavailable below Tk700. Hilsa weighing around 400 grams is being sold for approximately Tk1,200 per kg.

In the meat market, broiler chicken is priced at Tk185–Tk190 per kg, while Sonali chicken is selling for Tk330–Tk350. The egg market shows a mixed trend, with a dozen brown eggs selling for Tk130.

Saiful Islam, who came to buy vegetables, said, "Previously, Tk1,000 as enough for a week's groceries. Now, the money runs out after buying just two or three types of vegetables and a little fish. Day by day, the market is going beyond the reach of ordinary people, like us."

Another shopper, Abdul Malek, remarked, "I have to be very calculative as I come to the market now-a-day. Often, I have to return home with fewer items than I actually need."

Vegetable seller Md. Sohel mentioned that recent rains have damaged crops in many areas, preventing raw produce from reaching Dhaka on time. He noted that low supply in the market is driving the high prices.

Observations in the market show that under the pressure of increased costs, many buyers are purchasing less than their actual requirements. Some are finishing their shopping with only a few essential items. According to sellers, there is little chance of price relief until the supply chain returns to normal—a situation directly impacting the daily lives of the general public.