Prices of several food items, including vegetables and chicken, have decreased over the past week. While some essentials have remained stable, fish prices have gone up. Other grocery goods have mostly held steady.
This was observed during a visit to several markets across Dhaka on Friday (May 23) morning.
Compared to last week, the price of nearly all vegetables has dropped by around Tk 20 per kg. Items like pointed gourd, okra, snake gourd, and teasel gourd are being sold for Tk 40–50 per kg. Yardlong beans, taro stalks, bitter gourd, eggplant, and ridge gourd are priced between Tk 50–60 per kg. Vendors attributed the decline to an abundant supply of summer vegetables.
Fish prices, however, have seen a notable rise. Farmed shrimp is selling for Tk 750–800 per kg, while river shrimp is priced between Tk 1,000–1,200 per kg, significantly higher than usual, with prices up by Tk 50–200 per kg. Prices of other fish such as koi, shing, shol, tengra, and puti have also increased. Farmed fish like rui, tilapia, and pangas are now costlier by Tk 20–50 per kg.
Broiler chicken prices have dropped by Tk 20 per kg and are now selling at Tk 150–160. Similarly, the price of golden (Sonali) chicken has fallen, now ranging between Tk 260 to 280 per kg. However, poultry sellers note that prices near Tk 200 per kg would be more sustainable for farmers to avoid losses.
Despite the drop in chicken prices, egg prices have remained stable. After a Tk 10 increase last week, eggs are still selling at Tk 140–145 per dozen. Wholesalers noted that egg prices have remained relatively low this year compared to the previous year.
In the rice market, most brands of new Miniket rice have seen a price drop. However, the price of older stock remains unchanged. While new Miniket rice is selling at Tk 70 per kg, older varieties are priced from Tk 72 and up. Premium branded older Miniket rice is still selling at Tk 85–86 per kg.
