Fish and vegetable prices keep Dhaka families stretched thin
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
Upon visiting the market and hearing the price of fish, buyers are reducing their purchasing quantities. Some are returning without buying their preferred fish, while others are removing relatively expensive fish from their family meal plans.
Medium-sized hilsa is selling at Tk 3,000 per kg, while local koi has reached Tk 2,000 per kg. The prices of beef and mutton also remain high. In contrast, consumers hoped to breathe a sigh of relief as the supply of winter vegetables began to increase; however, no relief was found there either. Almost all vegetables remain trapped in a web of high prices.
Most vegetables are selling at prices ranging from Tk 60-100 per kg. As a result, relief has not returned to the market. This scenario was observed on Friday, during visits to Karwan Bazar and East Tejturi Bazar in Dhaka.
In the market, per kg local tomatoes are selling for Tk 120-220, carrots for Tk 50-140, eggplants for Tk 60-120, hyacinth beans for Tk 80-100, and bitter gourds for Tk 80-100, bottle gourds for Tk 60-80, okra for Tk 80-100, pointed gourds for Tk 50-60, cauliflowers and cabbages for Tk 40-60, and sweet pumpkins for Tk 40 per kg, papayas for Tk 25-30 per kg. However, the price of new potatoes stands at Tk 140-160 per kg.
Price variations were also observed in the fish market. Per kg, rui is selling for Tk 300-700, Pabda for Tk 400-800, tilapia for Tk 200-260, and tengra for Tk 600-1,000. Local koi fish has risen up to Tk 2,000 per kg. Depending on size, hilsa is selling from Tk 1,500-3,000 per kg. Large prawns are selling at Tk 1,400 per kg.
