Vegetables, Fish, and Meat: No Price Relief in Sight
Photo: Agamir Somoy
The kitchen markets in the capital have been experiencing extreme volatility for several weeks. Consumers are overwhelmed by the relentless surge in the prices of daily essentials. From eggs and vegetables to fish and meat—the price of every commodity seems to be scorching hot.
On Friday (May 1), a survey of various markets in the capital revealed that beef is being sold at Tk800 per kg, with most sellers refusing to go below this mark.
Egg prices have also remained high for several weeks. Red eggs, which were previously Tk110 per dozen, are now selling for Tk130. The price of white eggs has also increased by approximately Tk10 per dozen.
The poultry market tells a similar story. Sonali chicken, which was available for Tk290–320 during Ramadan, is now impossible to find for less than Tk360–370. Broiler chicken is selling for Tk180–190 per kg, while the price of indigenous (Deshi) chicken has moved almost entirely out of reach for the average consumer.
In the vegetable market, long eggplants are selling for Tk80–100 per kg, while the price of large round eggplants has reached Tk130–150 BDT. Similarly, the price of teasel gourd (Karkrol) remains steep, retailing at Tk100–120 per kg.
Other vegetable prices include:
Tomato: Tk60–70 /kg, Yard-long bean (Barbatti): Tk 60–80 /kg, Pointed gourd (Potol): Tk60–70 /kg, Ribbed gourd (Jhinge): Tk 60–70 a kg, Okra: Tk 50–60 /kg, Green chili: Tk120 /kg, Bitter gourd & Bottle gourd: Tk 60–80 per piece/kg, Green banana: Tk 40–50 per four pieces
Additionally, potatoes are selling for Tk 20–25, papaya for Tk70, carrots for Tk80, and cucumbers for Tk100–110 per kg. Snake gourd (Chichinga) and sponge gourd (Dhundul) are priced between Tk60–70.
The fish market has also seen an increase of Tk10–20 per kg within a week. Pangas, often considered the "fish of the poor," is now selling for Tk220–260. Tilapia is at Tk230, and Rohu (Rui) ranges from Tk320–360 per kg. A 500-gram Hilsa is priced as high as Tk1,500–Tk1,600.
Furthermore, Pabda is selling for Tk380, Katla for Tk400, and Tengra for Tk850 per kg. Small and large shrimp were seen retailing between Tk1,000 and Tk1,250.
