The prices of everyday essentials in the capital, Dhaka, remain unsettled, with fluctuations observed across various items.
While the introduction of winter vegetables to the market has started, their impact is yet to be felt in retail prices, leaving working-class families struggling.
However, compared to last week, the price of broiler chicken has dropped by Tk10 to Tk20 per kilogramme, with a slight decrease also noted in egg prices.
A visit to the kitchen markets on Friday (8 November) and conversations with buyers and sellers revealed these details.
During this visit, farm eggs were retailing at Tk144-150 per dozen, broiler chicken at Tk185-190 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk290-300 per kg, and beef at Tk700 per kg.
The fish market reflected varied prices depending on the type and size.
Addressing poultry prices, Abdur Raif, a chicken trader, stated, “Chicken prices have dropped somewhat. Previously, broilers sold for Tk200-210 per kg, but prices have now come down. Pakistani Sonali chicken has also seen a reduction.”
Conversely, Abdul Latif, a customer buying vegetables, lamented, “I keep hearing news about falling vegetable prices and the arrival of winter produce, but I see no significant change in the market. Prices are almost the same, and any reduction is negligible.”
Another consumer, Ariful Islam, remarked, “For middle-class families like ours, it’s a struggle to even afford vegetables. Money runs out before we can think about fish or meat. Without stricter market oversight by the government, families like ours may face starvation.”
Despite abundant displays of winter vegetables, price reductions were not as substantial.
Meanwhile, the costs of staples such as potatoes, onions, ginger, and garlic have climbed. Broiler chicken prices, however, have remained stable.
On this day, prices of vegetables included per kg uste at Tk100, bitter gourd at Tk80, cucumber at Tk60-80, cauliflower per piece at Tk50-70, cabbage per piece at Tk40, long beans at Tk100 per kg, pointed gourd at Tk100 per kg, hyacinth beans at Tk120 per kg, radish at Tk80 per kg, round eggplant at Tk140 per kg, green chillies at Tk200 per kg, bottle gourd per piece at Tk70, okra at Tk80 per kg, carrots at Tk160 per kg, and tomatoes at Tk160 per kg.
Furthermore, potatoes were being sold at Tk70 per kg, large onions at Tk100 per kg, native onions at Tk140 per kg, garlic at Tk230 per kg, and ginger at up to Tk260 per kg.
