Despite a steady supply, vegetable prices have gone up in Dhaka's markets over the past week, rising by Tk 10-20 per kg. Meanwhile, chicken prices have either remained unchanged or dropped slightly, offering some relief to consumers.
Traders say that it's typical for chicken prices to dip just before Eid-ul-Adha, and this year is no different. As a result, buyers are finding some comfort in lower chicken prices.
Earlier this week, egg prices were higher but have dropped by Tk 5 per dozen in the past few days. Still, eggs remain costly, currently selling for Tk 15-20 more per dozen than they did a month ago.
On Friday (May 30), a visit to several city markets revealed that the number of shoppers was lower due to poor weather. Many shops remained closed, but vegetable supplies in wholesale markets were relatively unaffected, as there was no rain the previous night. However, fewer vegetables are arriving from remote areas. Due to low customer turnout, demand hasn't significantly impacted pricing.
Egg sellers explained that compared to winter, vegetable prices are currently higher, which has increased demand for eggs. But since egg production hasn’t increased accordingly, prices remain high.
In contrast, broiler and Sonali chicken prices have decreased slightly. On Thursday, broiler chicken was selling at Tk 160-170 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk 230-260 per kg, marking a Tk 10 drop for broiler and Tk 20 drop for Sonali from last week.
Summer vegetables have become notably more expensive. Prices in various markets include:
- Eggplant: Tk 60-70/kg
- Bitter gourd: Tk 60-70/kg
- Yardlong beans: Tk 60/kg
- Pointed gourd: Tk 50-60/kg
- Sponge gourd, Snake gourd: Tk 50/kg
- Arum stalks: Tk 70-80/kg
- Arum bulbs: Tk 100/kg
Other items:
- Drumsticks (sajna): Tk 100/kg
- Ridge gourd: Tk 60/kg
- Raw mango: Tk 50/kg
- Green chilli: Tk 60-80/kg
- Papaya: Tk 50/kg
Winter vegetables, still found in the market, are priced as follows:
- Small cauliflower: Tk 50 each
- Bottle gourd: Tk 50-60 each
- Tomato: Tk 40-50/kg
- Carrot: Tk 70/kg
- Radish: Tk 50/kg
- Cucumber: Tk 50-60/kg
Leafy greens are selling at:
- Red amaranth: Tk 10 per bunch
- Bottle gourd leaves: Tk 30-40
- Spinach: Tk 15
- Water spinach: Tk 20
- Malabar spinach: Tk 30
- Stem amaranth: Tk 20
Additional produce prices:
- Lemon (4 pieces): Tk 10-15
- Coriander leaves: Tk 280/kg
- Raw banana (bunch): Tk 40
- Ash gourd: Tk 40 each
- Capsicum: Tk 280/kg
- Sweet pumpkin: Tk 30-40/kg
Fish and meat prices have remained stable:
- Pabda: Tk 400-450/kg
- Tilapia: Tk 200-220/kg
- Pangas: Tk 180-200/kg
- Rui: Tk 300-350/kg
- Koi: Tk 250-280/kg
- Beef: Tk 700-800/kg
- Mutton: Tk 1,000-1,100/kg
Rice prices, especially Miniket, are holding steady due to the arrival of newly harvested Boro season rice. Most Miniket varieties are retailing around Tk 75/kg, unchanged from the previous week.
Breakdown by brand:
- Diamond, Manjur, Sagar: Tk 75/kg
- Rashid: Tk 72/kg
- Mozammel: Tk 82/kg
- Older Miniket rice (a month ago): Over Tk 85/kg
Other rice varieties:
- Nazirshail: Tk 80-95/kg (depending on quality)
- BRRI-28, BRRI-29: Tk 58/kg
- Swarna: Tk 55/kg
Other key commodity prices include:
- Onion: Tk 50-55/kg
- Potato: Tk 20-25/kg
- Local garlic: Tk 120-140/kg
- Imported garlic: Tk 220-240/kg
