Incessant rain hits wallets: Vegetable rates jump
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
The sky was overcast this morning, with intermittent drizzle throughout the day. But the impact of the rain wasn't limited to the streets—it has hit the capital's vegetable markets hard. It feels as though prices have caught fire along with the rainfall. Within just one week, the price of most vegetables has risen by Tk 10 to 40 per kilogram. However, amid the volatility in the vegetable market, the prices of chicken, eggs, and most meats have remained stable.
This was the market scene observed yesterday (Friday) at the capital's largest wholesale market, Karwan Bazar, and the busy retail market, Mohammadpur Krishi Market. While traders cite supply shortages, customers are unwilling to accept this explanation, as vegetables appear plentiful in the markets.
Yesterday, the number of vegetable-laden trucks at Karwan Bazar was somewhat lower than on a normal day. Wholesale trader Lokman Hossain said, "Continuous rain in various parts of the country has submerged many farmlands underwater. As a result, farmers are unable to harvest vegetables on time. Additionally, traffic congestion on highways is delaying the arrival of goods to Dhaka." He claimed that this disruption in supply is what has affected market prices.
However, ordinary consumers are not satisfied with this explanation from the traders. Their complaint is that despite claims of supply shortages, there is no visible scarcity of vegetables in the markets. Joynal Abedin, a private sector employee, said, "As soon as traders see a single cloud in the sky, they seem to seize the opportunity. They immediately raise prices on everything. They claim goods aren't arriving, but when I come to the market, I see every stall overflowing with vegetables. There's no shortage—only inflated prices."
Mohammadpur Krishi Market was also packed with crowds of shoppers. However, many were seen leaving in disappointment after hearing the higher prices. Retailers claimed they are being forced to buy vegetables at higher prices from the wholesale market, which is why they have no choice but to raise prices at the retail level.
At this market yesterday, the following prices were observed: eggplant (begun) was selling at Tk 80–120 per kg, bitter gourd (korla) Tk 60–80, okra (dherosh) Tk 50–60, pointed gourd (potol) Tk 60–80, taro corm (kachur mukhi) Tk 80–100, yardlong beans (borboti) Tk 60–80, ivy gourd (kachurlati) Tk 80–100, snake gourd (chichinga) Tk 60, drumsticks (shojina) Tk 160–200, white gourd (dhundul) Tk 60, desi cucumber Tk 100, and hybrid cucumber Tk 60 per kg. Tomatoes were selling at Tk 180–220, radish (mula) Tk 70, papaya (pepe) Tk 50, and green chilies (kacha morich) at Tk 140–160 per kg. Additionally, pumpkin (mishtikumra) was Tk 40, capsicum Tk 350, potatoes Tk 25–30, and local onions Tk 40 per kg.
Despite the turbulence in the vegetable market, the poultry sector offered some relief. All types of chicken were sold at last week's prices. Broiler chickens were sold at Tk 165 per kg, Sonali cocks at Tk 330, Sonali hybrids at Tk 300, Red layer chickens at Tk 340, and native (Desi) chickens at Tk 700 per kg.
The egg market also saw little change. A dozen red eggs were sold at Tk 120, duck eggs at Tk 180, a hali (set of four) of native chicken eggs at Tk 100, and a hali of Sonali chicken eggs at Tk 70.
The meat and fish markets remained relatively stable, though the prices of a few fish varieties increased slightly. Beef was sold at Tk 780–800 per kg, and mutton at Tk 1,300. Depending on size, Hilsa was sold at Tk 1,100–2,000 or Tk 2,200 per kg. Rui (rohu) fetched Tk 400–555 based on size, farmed Pangash (pangasius) Tk 180–200, shrimp Tk 800–1,400, Boal Tk 600–800, large Katla Tk 400–550, Pabda Tk 400–450, Tilapia Tk 200, and Batasi Tengra (a type of small catfish) Tk 1,400 per kg.
According to market analysts, while continuous rain has caused temporary disruptions in supply, the extent of the surge in vegetable prices is in no way justified. They commented that due to a lack of effective monitoring in the markets, a segment of unscrupulous traders are using the weather as a pretext to rake in excessive profits.
