The retail market for essential goods has plunged into renewed turmoil since Eid, with prices of staples such as rice, soybean oil, onions, and eggs escalating by as much as 50% over the past two months—triggering fresh anxiety among consumers whose incomes have failed to keep pace.
Reports published in national dailies reveal that the price of five key commodities—fine rice (miniket), coarse rice, bottled soybean oil, onions, and farm eggs—has climbed sharply, straining household budgets.
Retailers are now selling these items at significantly inflated prices, while experts attribute the turbulence to inconsistent government intervention and lack of proper oversight.
A comparative analysis of retail prices in Dhaka’s markets on 28 February and 28 April shows that fine rice has risen by 12–13%, now selling for Tk85 to Tk95 per kilogramme depending on quality.
Coarse rice, such as BRRI-28 and Pajam varieties, has seen a 7% hike, fetching Tk62 to Tk65 per kilogramme.
Bottled soybean oil prices have risen by up to 8%, retailing at Tk189 per litre.
Local onion prices have surged dramatically—by 30 to 50%—despite being in peak season, reaching Tk60 to Tk65 per kilogramme.
Although egg prices remained relatively stable in previous months, they have increased by 4% in the last two months, with a dozen farm eggs now costing Tk125 to Tk130.
The only relief has been in broiler chicken prices, which have dropped by 17 to 18%, now standing at Tk170 to Tk180 per kilogramme.
Vegetables, too, have reached alarming prices across retail markets in areas such as Mohakhali, Rampura, and Badda.
Most vegetables are being sold at Tk80 per kilogramme, with some crossing the Tk100 threshold. Aubergine is priced between Tk80 and Tk100, ridge gourd between Tk100 and Tk120, bitter gourd Tk80 to Tk100, pointed gourd Tk80, snake gourd Tk80 to Tk90, drumsticks Tk120 to Tk150, and okra Tk80. Other notable prices include tomatoes at Tk40 to Tk50, long beans at Tk80 to Tk100, carrots at Tk50 to Tk70, green chillies at Tk120 to Tk140, papaya at Tk50 to Tk60, and local cucumbers at Tk80. Long bottle gourds are selling at Tk70 to Tk80 apiece, and wax gourds at Tk60.
Analysts caution that although general inflation has slightly eased, the relentless rise in food prices is severely impacting low- and fixed-income groups.
The mismatch between wage growth and inflation continues to erode purchasing power, with long-term high inflation already altering consumption patterns and lifestyles.
Md Khalilur Rahman Sajal, Executive Director of the Voluntary Consumers Training and Awareness Society (VOCTA), told the media that prices surged immediately after Ramadan ended.
He pointed to the exorbitant rates of seasonal vegetables such as ridge gourd, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, and snake gourd, noting that prices have nearly doubled compared to the same period last year.
Sajal also criticised the recent, abrupt Tk14 per litre increase in soybean oil prices, urging the government to intensify market surveillance to prevent further hardship for consumers.
