Prices of vegetables, chicken, and fish have risen sharply across Dhaka’s kitchen markets, putting pressure on consumers, even as traders fail to cite any clear increase in transport costs amid the ongoing fuel situation.
At major markets in the capital, most seasonal vegetables are now selling at Tk80 per kilogram or higher. Prices of aubergine and bitter gourd have climbed to Tk120, while lemon prices—once soaring during Ramadan—have eased to around Tk60 for four, depending on size.
Poultry prices have also jumped. Broiler chicken has crossed Tk200 per kilogram in many markets, while Sonali chicken is being sold for as much as Tk450. Traders say supply constraints, particularly for Sonali chicken, may be contributing, though no single reason has been clearly identified.
However, a stark price gap persists between farmers and urban consumers.
In Jashore’s Chowgachha, farmer Sujon Mahmud said pointed gourd is being sold at Tk30 to Tk55 per kilogram at the farm level—far below the Tk100–Tk120 price seen in Dhaka. “When supply is high, we sometimes have to sell below Tk30,” he said.
Similarly, poultry farmer Anha Ibne Ali from Narsingdi said he sold broiler chickens at Tk130 per kilogram at wholesale markets, up from Tk110 the previous week. The same chicken was being sold in Dhaka’s retail markets for Tk170 to Tk230.
Market insiders say a product typically passes through at least five stages before reaching consumers, with prices increasing at each step.
At Karwan Bazar, wholesale warehouse worker Bellal Hossain said prices are largely determined by supply brought in by traders from outside Dhaka, with commissions added before goods reach retailers.
Consumer rights advocates, however, blame structural inefficiencies and opportunistic pricing.
SM Nazer Hossain, vice-president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said traders are using the fuel situation as a pretext. He added that middlemen dominate the supply chain and farmers often do not receive fair prices.
Fish prices have also increased significantly. Tilapia is selling for Tk200–Tk250 per kilogram, while ruhit ranges between Tk400 and Tk900 depending on size and market.
Ahead of Pohela Boishakh, hilsa prices remain particularly high. Buyers are paying Tk1,400 to Tk1,700 even for a 500-gram fish, with traders reporting an increase of around Tk300 over the past month.
Despite the rising prices, both farmers and traders say transport costs have not significantly increased. Local transport by van or auto-rickshaw remains largely unchanged, and truck fares have not seen notable hikes.
Analysts say the situation points to deeper market distortions, including supply chain inefficiencies and weak oversight.
“The real issue is whether the government acknowledges the problem,” said CAB’s Nazer Hossain, criticising the lack of effective market monitoring.
