The constant surge in the prices of essential goods is leaving the general public in a state of despair.
Despite various government measures, including market monitoring and price capping for certain products, the overall impact on consumer affordability has been minimal.
While the price of eggs has decreased marginally, the market for green chillies remains unstable.
On Thursday (17 October) a visit to Mahakhali vegetable market in the capital revealed this situation. Traders indicated that although egg prices have dropped, it would take more time for the prices to align with the government-set rates.
At the market, a dozen red poultry eggs were being sold at prices ranging from Tk155 to Tk160, while white poultry eggs were priced at Tk150 per dozen. Duck eggs were being sold at Tk80 per four eggs. Meanwhile, green chillies were being sold for Tk300 to Tk320 per kilogram.
Previously, on 15 October, the Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Mohammad Alim Akhtar Khan held a meeting with egg producers and suppliers. It was decided that the price would be set at Tk10.91 at the production level, Tk11.01 at wholesale, and Tk11.87 at retail.
Though these prices were to take effect from Wednesday, they were not yet reflected in the market.
When asked about the current egg prices, Raju, the proprietor of Mairer Doa Traders, told Barta24.com, "Egg prices have indeed dropped. A dozen eggs have gone down by about Tk20. Just two days ago, we were selling them for Tk170 per dozen, and now we are selling them at Tk150."
Commenting on the government's fixed price of Tk142 per dozen at the retail level, Raju remarked, "The government has announced a price, which is fine, but it will take time for prices to decrease. It might take a few more days, but it will eventually happen."
Sajjad, a raw produce trader, said, "Last week, I sold green chillies for almost Tk400 per kilogram. The price dropped, and yesterday I sold them at Tk260. However, today the price has increased again. I had to purchase them at Tk260 per kilogram, and I am now selling them at Tk300."
Expressing frustration over the high prices, Ibrahim, a customer at the market, told Barta24.com, "The prices of goods only go up but never seem to come down. Once prices rise, they don’t tend to decrease. And when they do increase, no one even questions it; they simply go up."
However, he did note that prices seemed slightly lower compared to the previous week. "Last week, I bought 250 grams of green chillies for Tk100. Today, they are asking for Tk80, so it seems prices have decreased slightly," Ibrahim added.
