Dhaka Markets Stay Steady After Eid

The post-Eid festive mood is still visible in Dhaka’s kitchen markets. Although many traders have not yet returned to Dhaka, there is no supply shortage in the markets. Instead, prices of vegetables, chicken and eggs have slightly declined due to lower customer pressure. Several items are also selling at lower rates compared to before Eid, offering relief to consumers.

A visit to Karwan Bazar, Ray Saheb Bazar and Hatirpool Bazar in Dhaka on Thursday showed a similar picture. Even a week after Eid, there has been no major change in prices. Rather, items that were sold at higher rates before Eid are now slightly cheaper.

At Ray Saheb Bazar and Hatirpool Bazar, a portion of regular vegetable shops are still closed. Traders said many sellers who went home for Eid have not yet returned to Dhaka. Some are expected to return on Friday and Saturday, meaning the market will not fully normalize before Sunday. However, despite fewer shops, the open stores have adequate supply. Most vegetables remain within affordable ranges for consumers.

At present, most vegetables are selling at 60 to 80 taka per kilogram depending on the market. Ladies’ finger is the cheapest at 40 taka per kilogram. Papaya, white eggplant, snake gourd, potol, ridge gourd, sponge gourd and bitter gourd are selling at 60 taka per kilogram. Bitter melon, spiny gourd, round black eggplant and yardlong beans are priced at 80 taka per kilogram. Due to strong supply, bottle gourd is selling at 60 to 80 taka per piece. Seasonal green mangoes are available at 30 taka per kilogram.

Relief in Salad Item Market as Well

Demand for salad items and green chilies usually rises after Eid, but this time it has not pushed up prices. Tomatoes are selling at 80 to 100 taka per kilogram, cucumbers at 60 to 70 taka, and green chilies at 60 to 80 taka per kilogram. Lemons continue to sell at 15 to 20 taka per four pieces.

Government employee Raihan Kabir, who visited Karwan Bazar, compared prices and said, “Prices are almost the same as before I left for Eid. But they were already high. I am spending a lot just on vegetables.”

Vegetable seller Hasan at Hatirpool Bazar said there is no supply shortage. He noted that while customer numbers dropped sharply during Eid, they are gradually increasing now.

Poultry and Egg Prices Decline

Chicken prices have fallen due to reduced demand after Eid. Broiler chicken, which sold for 180 to 200 taka per kilogram before Eid, is now available at 150 to 160 taka. Sonali chicken prices have also dropped by around 20 taka per kilogram to 360 taka. Cock (layer) chicken is selling at 380 taka per kilogram.

Poultry seller Md. Ashraf at Ray Saheb Bazar said chicken demand drops after Eid, prompting farm owners to reduce prices. As a result, retail prices also fall during this period.

Egg prices have also decreased. A dozen farm eggs, which sold for 150 taka before Eid, are now priced at 135 taka.

However, despite current price stability, traders fear a new round of price increases ahead. They say higher electricity prices will raise production, storage and transport costs. In particular, irrigation for agricultural production, cold storage expenses and transport costs across the supply chain may increase consumer prices. As a result, although the market is currently stable, traders remain uncertain about how long this relief will last.