After remaining relatively stable during Ramadan, vegetable prices soared in the aftermath of Eid. Most vegetables are now selling between BDT 70 and 100 per kilogram — about BDT 30 higher than before. Fish prices have also gone up significantly. For example, pangas fish now costs BDT 200–230 per kg, compared to BDT 180–190 before Eid. Other popular fish, like pabda, tengra, and rui, have also seen price hikes of BDT 30–50 per kilogram.
Soybean Oil in Short Supply
A visit to several markets in Dhaka on Friday revealed a shortage of soybean oil. While the official price remains unchanged, supply is inconsistent. Many stores are out of stock, and some vendors are charging BDT 5 more per liter than the labeled price.
Vegetables like bitter gourd, ridge gourd, and snake gourd are priced at BDT 80–100 per kilogram. Pointed gourd and okra are being sold at BDT 70–80, while papaya remains one of the few affordable options, priced at BDT 50–60 per kg.
Local onions have increased by BDT 5 and are now BDT 40–45 per kg. Prices of potatoes, ginger, and garlic have remained stable.
Vendors Blame Supply Shortage
According to vendors, prices are rising due to a supply-demand imbalance. Winter vegetables are mostly out of stock, and many summer vegetables haven't yet reached the market in sufficient quantity.
In Rampura market, local resident Bidhan Chandra expressed frustration after buying half a kilo each of long beans and bitter gourd at BDT 100 per kg. "Before Eid, vegetables were around BDT 60. Now everything's gone up," he said.
Soybean Oil Crisis Returns
Soybean oil availability has become erratic again. While some shops have 5-liter bottles, smaller 1- and 2-liter bottles are scarce. In some stores, a 1-liter bottle is being sold for BDT 180 — BDT 5 above the fixed price.
Enamul, a vendor at Malibagh market, said oil companies have stopped taking orders since Eid. "We're having to buy oil from external sources at a higher price," he explained.
Another seller noted that a company recently supplied a limited batch of oil — just three cartons of 2-liter bottles — and hinted that no further supply would be made until prices were officially raised.
Fish Becomes a Luxury
In Dhaka markets, local river shrimp is selling for BDT 800–1,000 per kg — up from BDT 700–850 two weeks ago. Farmed shrimp now costs BDT 650–750. Tengra has increased by BDT 100–150 and is selling for BDT 600–700 per kg.
Prices of local varieties like shing and shol have also spiked — shing is BDT 850–900, and shol is BDT 800–850. Even small fish like puti are selling for BDT 600–800. Large rui fish is priced at BDT 350–400. Pangas and Tilapia, typically budget-friendly options, are now BDT 200–220 per kg, up from BDT 180–200.
Shopper Nargis Begum said, "Fish has become unaffordable. Even buying once a week is tough. It feels like a luxury now. My kids want small fish, but with current prices, we can only wish."
Refining companies have proposed an increase of BDT 18 per liter for soybean oil. However, despite two meetings with the Ministry of Commerce, no decision has been finalized yet.
