Bangladesh, known as the land of six seasons, boasts a distinct charm for each period, with winter traditionally heralded as the prime season for vegetable production.
However, this year, the promise of affordable winter produce has been overshadowed by surging prices, leaving consumers in a state of discomfort and financial strain.
Following the ousting of the Awami League government, the general populace hoped for a syndicate-free marketplace and reduced prices of essential goods.
Yet, these aspirations remain largely unmet as spiralling prices continue to weigh heavily on ordinary citizens, exacerbating the imbalance between income and expenditure.
Visiting multiple kitchen markets in the capital on Friday (13 December), gave a stark picture of the situation.
Despite being the peak season for vegetables, most items were found retailing at no less than Tk60-70 per kilogramme, save for a handful of exceptions.
At the markets, cauliflower was priced at Tk40-50 per piece, cabbage at Tk40 per piece, turnips at Tk65-70 per kg, radish at Tk50 per kg, flat beans at Tk80 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk100 per kg, green chillies at Tk120 per kg, aubergines at Tk70-75 per kg, tomatoes at Tk140-160 per kg, ridge gourds at Tk60 per kg, bitter gourds at Tk100 per kg, pumpkins at Tk50 per kg, raw papayas at Tk40 per kg, and bottle gourds ranging from Tk50-60 each, depending on size.
Additionally, prices for staples such as potatoes and onions showed no respite.
New potatoes were being sold at Tk100 per kg, while older varieties fetched Tk75 per kg.
Onions ranged between Tk100-130 per kg, garlic was priced at Tk240-260 per kg, and ginger varied from Tk140-180 per kg.
The meat market remained relatively stable, mirroring last week's prices.
Broiler chicken retailed at Tk190 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk310 per kg, and indigenous chicken at Tk520-530 per kg. Beef ranged from Tk650-700 per kg, while eggs were sold at Tk145-150 per dozen.
Expressing his dismay, consumer Abdur Rahim remarked, "Previously, we heard about syndicates. Who are the syndicates now? People are on the brink of starvation.
Winter should have brought lower vegetable prices, but that’s not the case. Eggplants, once discarded at Tk5-10 per kg, now cost Tk60-70."
Vendor Mustafa defended the sellers, stating, "Prices have dropped slightly, but not significantly. People question us about the high rates, but we sell at the wholesale market's purchase price. Unless wholesale prices decline, we cannot sell for less."
Despite seasonal abundance, the persistently high prices of winter vegetables have underscored the pressing need for systemic market reforms to alleviate the burdens on Bangladesh's struggling consumers.
