Prolonged rainfall over the past few days has led to a noticeable decrease in vegetable prices at markets. The price of various vegetables has dropped by Tk10-15 per kilogramme.
According to wholesale traders, the oversupply of vegetables in the market is forcing them to sell at a loss.
During a visit to the Mirpur-1 wholesale vegetable market in the capital on Friday (27 September) morning, this trend was observed.
Traders also indicated that vegetable prices might see a slight increase within the next week.
For instance, cucumbers were being sold between Tk60-80 per kilogramme depending on quality, ridge gourds at Tk40, ladies' fingers at Tk50, pointed gourds at Tk40, tomatoes between Tk130-140, bitter gourds at Tk30, amaranth at Tk50, spine gourds at Tk70, green chillies at Tk200, aubergines at Tk50, yardlong beans at Tk80, raw papayas between Tk15-20, taro stems at Tk40-45 taka, and bottle gourds were priced at Tk30 per piece.
In addition, onions were priced between Tk100-105 taka per kilogramme depending on quality, potatoes at Tk45 per kilogramme, ginger between Tk260-270 taka per kilogramme, and garlic at Tk210 per kilogramme.
One shopper, Mosleh Uddin, stated that he comes to this market every week for his purchases. Compared to retail markets, the prices here are significantly lower, with savings of Tk15-20 taka per kilogramme.
He added that he always does his shopping here on Fridays to benefit from the lower prices.
Jahangir, proprietor of M/s Banijya Bhandar, said that prices have not increased this week. Due to the heavy rainfall in recent days, vegetable prices have actually decreased. In many cases, traders are having to sell vegetables at prices lower than their purchase cost.
Mohammad Abu Zafar, owner of Sat Phal Bhandar, remarked that prices have dropped slightly compared to yesterday and even more so compared to the previous week.
He explained that when the market is oversupplied with vegetables, prices tend to fall, whereas prices increase when there is a shortage of supply.
A seller from Bismillah Banijyaloy mentioned, "We are selling at a loss today. Yesterday, we bought amaranth at Tk52 per kilogramme, but we are now selling it for Tk40. Due to the rain, prices have dropped as there’s an excess supply in the market. However, prices may rise again within the next week, though they may drop once more after that."
When asked why retail prices remain high despite such low wholesale rates, he further explained, "We sell vegetables with only a Tk2-3 profit margin per kilogram, but retail sellers make Tk20 profit on each kilogramme. Even after selling large quantities throughout the day, we cannot make the same profit as they do while sitting at their stalls."
