‘People once bought 2-3 kilos; now just half a kilo’

The sky is covered with clouds over the commodity market. Prices of most essential goods have increased following several days of continuous rain. Vegetable prices, in particular, have surged sharply. Most fresh produce is being sold at Tk 20 to Tk 30 higher per kilogram than usual. As a result, buyers are cutting down their shopping lists, while sellers are left waiting longer for customers. Neither side is in relief.

This scenario is visible in the wholesale shops of Karwan Bazar in the capital. The situation in retail markets is even worse. Prices of vegetables, fish, chicken, and almost all daily essentials remain high. Buyers are moving from shop to shop in search of lower prices, but most are returning with fewer items than they need.

Sellers, however, are also under pressure. They say transport costs have increased due to recent rainfall and higher fuel prices, while sales have declined.

On Sunday morning, traders at Karwan Bazar expressed frustration over current prices. They said long eggplants are selling at Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg depending on quality, while large round eggplants are priced at Tk 130 to Tk 150. Spiny gourd (Kankrol) is selling at Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg. Tomatoes are priced at Tk 60 to Tk 70, yardlong beans and ridge gourd at Tk 60 to Tk 80, and pointed gourd at Tk 60 to Tk 70. Green chilies are selling at Tk 120 per kg, while bitter gourd and bottle gourd have moved beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.

Potatoes and onions have offered some relief. Potatoes are selling at Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kg, and local onions at Tk 35 to Tk 40.

Buyer Abdul Malek said he now has to plan his shopping carefully. Due to high prices, he cannot buy what he needs and returns home with reduced quantities, despite his requirements.

Vegetable seller Md. Sohel, who runs a small shop in Karwan Bazar, said he brings goods from wholesale markets early in the morning. Although sales continue throughout the day, business has declined, leaving him disappointed.

Sohel believes continuous rainfall has damaged crops in many areas. Higher fuel costs and adverse weather have also disrupted supply to Dhaka, reducing availability and pushing up prices.

“We are buying at higher prices, so we are forced to sell at higher rates. That is why customers are no longer able to purchase as before,” he explained.

Another seller, Anis, reported a drop in sales. He said earlier customers would buy two to three kilograms of vegetables at a time, but now many purchases only half a kilogram or one kilogram. Most leave after hearing the prices, reducing both sales and profit.

Sellers said vegetable prices have risen by Tk 20 to Tk 30 per kg due to rain. Cucumber saw the sharpest increase, rising from Tk 30 to Tk 80–100 per kg for hybrid varieties. Eggplant, ridge gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd, and tomatoes have also increased by Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kg. Raw papaya and chilies have gone up by around Tk 20, now selling at Tk 40 and Tk 80 to Tk 100 respectively.

Tushar, a young worker from a hardware shop, was seen visiting multiple stores in search of eggplant prices. Shopkeepers repeatedly told him the same thing—eggplant costs Tk 100 per kg with no reduction. Eventually, he had to settle for 500 grams instead of one kilogram.

With three children at home, Tushar said earlier a single market trip would last two to three days, but now even daily shopping has become difficult. He is forced to reduce quantities due to high prices.

Afroza Begum, another shopper, said her children want fish, but prices have made shopping frightening. Pangas fish costs Tk 200 to Tk 220 per kg, while other varieties are even more expensive. She added that she has also reduced her monthly chicken purchases.

Fish, meat, and egg markets also remain under pressure

Fish prices continue to rise. Farmed pangas is selling at Tk 220–230 per kg, tilapia at Tk 250–260, and rohu at Tk 400–420. Local fish is even more expensive, with no variety available below Tk 700 per kg. Hilsa weighing around 400 grams is selling at Tk 1,200 per kg.

Broiler chicken is priced at Tk 185–190 per kg, while Sonali chicken sells at Tk 330–350. The egg market also shows mixed trends, with a dozen red eggs selling at Tk 130.

Sellers fear that prices will not stabilize until supply conditions return to normal.