The months-long respite in vegetable prices enjoyed by consumers during the winter has now vanished, with most vegetables in Dhaka's kitchen markets priced at over Tk80 per kilogramme. Retailers and consumers alike report sharp rises in prices of essential food items, including onions, eggs and rice.
A visit to Karwan Bazar, Agargaon Taltola, Mohammadpur Krishi Market and Town Hall Market on Friday (25 April) revealed that out of 15 vegetables surveyed, prices of more than half exceeded Tk80 per kg.
Yardlong beans, arum stalks, pointed gourds, snake gourds, aubergines and turnips are now retailing between Tk80 and Tk100 per kg.
Spiny gourds and drumsticks have climbed even higher, fetching Tk120 and Tk140–160 respectively.
Meanwhile, bitter gourds, bottle gourds, ridge gourds, sponge gourds, okra and papayas are selling between Tk60 and Tk80 per kg.
Only tomatoes were priced relatively low at Tk40–50 per kg.
Potatoes remained steady at Tk20–25, while green chillies spiked to Tk80–100 per kg.
This price trend is reminiscent of the same period last year, when similar vegetables were also priced at Tk80 or more, with aubergines, papayas, okra and snake gourds ranging between Tk50 and Tk60.
Bangladesh Raw Material Wholesalers’ Association President Imran Master, attributed the recent hikes to higher production costs.
“This winter saw an abundant supply of vegetables up until Ramadan, keeping prices low—but many farmers incurred losses. The current harvests are costlier to produce, which has raised prices at the source.”
Onions and eggs join the climb
The price of locally grown onions has risen by Tk5 per kg in the past week alone, and by Tk20–25 over the past month.
Retail prices ranged between Tk60 and Tk65 per kg, and even higher in residential neighbourhoods.
Imported onions were available at Tk50 per kg, but in very limited quantities.
Egg prices have also surged. A dozen brown farm eggs now cost Tk125–130, up from Tk115–120 last week.
Broiler and Sonali chicken prices, however, have dipped slightly—broilers selling at Tk170–190 per kg, while Sonali chickens fetch Tk250–280.
Rice and oil remain costly
Despite the ongoing Boro harvest season, rice prices have yet to fall. Retailers claim that only a few branded varieties of Boro-season Miniket rice have hit the market, resulting in no significant price change.
Currently, brands like Diamond, Manjur and Sagar are retailing at Tk88–90 per kg, while Mozammel Miniket has touched Tk100.
Nazirshail varieties range from Tk80–95, BRRI-28 sells at Tk60, and Swarna at Tk55 per kg.
On 15 April, the price of bottled soybean oil was raised by Tk14 per litre, bringing it to Tk189.
Sellers report that supplies of bottled oil are now falling short of market demand.
