Post-Eid Demand Drives Up Fish, Vegetable Prices

Consumers are turning to fish and vegetables to break the monotony of eating meat continuously after Eid-ul-Azha. As a result, demand for these products has increased in local markets. However, supply shortages and restrictions on fishing at sea have also pushed up the prices of fish and vegetables.

A visit to Kazir Dewri Market in Chattogram on Friday morning found that most varieties of fish were selling at prices Tk30 to Tk200 higher per kilogram due to the ban on sea fishing. Fish from rivers, ponds, canals, and lakes are currently in the highest demand.

In the market, ruhi, catla, and kalibaus are selling between Tk350 and Tk600 per kilogram depending on quality. Tilapia and pangas are selling at Tk300, sarputi at Tk400, pabda at Tk400 to Tk500, and loitta at Tk250 to Tk350 per kilogram. Meanwhile, chital and surma are selling at Tk700, black pomfret at Tk750, red popa at Tk600, red coral fish at Tk800, chapila at Tk800, loilya shrimp at Tk900, bagda shrimp and Chakaria’s vetki coral at Tk1,000, pomfret at Tk1,100, and hilsa weighing around 1.5 kilograms at Tk2,600 per kilogram.

Fish trader Mohammad Firoz said sales have increased since the day after Eid. People are buying more fish from ponds and rivers. He expressed hope that prices will decline once fishing resumes in the sea.

The vegetable market is also seeing a larger number of buyers. However, the prices of many vegetables remain comparatively high due to limited supply. “Demand is very high, but supply is low. As a result, prices remain somewhat elevated. It will take some more time for the market to return to normal,” said vegetable trader Mohammad Azam.

Currently, potatoes are selling at Tk25 per kilogram, sweet pumpkin at Tk50, bottle gourd at Tk50 each, spiny gourd at Tk60, pointed gourd at Tk60, okra at Tk60, papaya at Tk60, eggplant at Tk80, bitter gourd at Tk80, yardlong beans at Tk80, taro stolons and taro stems at Tk80, cucumber at Tk80, local tomatoes at Tk120, green chilies at Tk120, cauliflower at Tk160, cabbage at Tk180, and coriander leaves at Tk240 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, most beef shops remain closed after Eid-ul-Adha. However, a limited number of shops are selling mutton at Tk1,250 per kilogram.

The poultry and egg markets have seen some relief. The price of native chicken has dropped by Tk50 per kilogram to Tk680. Sonali chicken is selling at Tk340 per kilogram. However, broiler chicken prices remain unchanged at Tk170 to Tk180 per kilogram. In addition, the prices of all types of eggs have fallen by around Tk10 per dozen. Farm eggs are currently selling at Tk120 per dozen, duck eggs at Tk190, and native chicken eggs at Tk240.

Mizanur Rahman came to the market to add variety to his meal menu. He said he had lost interest in eating meat after consuming it continuously since Eid and had come to buy fish and vegetables instead.

Another customer, Mohammad Mohsin, said eating meat continuously is harmful to health. Therefore, fish and vegetables remain essential alternatives.