Following green chillies, a sense of relief has begun to return to the kitchen markets of Chittagong, with the prices of various vegetables dropping by Tk20 to Tk50 per kilogramme compared to last month.
Although a few off-season vegetables remain relatively expensive, most are currently selling below Tk100 per kg. However, despite the relief in vegetable prices, the fish and egg markets continue to pose an extra financial burden on low-income people.
A visit on Friday to several kitchen markets in Chawkbazar, 2 No Gate, Kazir Dewri, and Bahaddarhat areas of the city revealed this picture. Both buyers and sellers noted that while prices varied slightly across different markets, they have generally decreased compared to last month.
Current market rates
Currently, pointed gourd and cucumber are selling at Tk50 to Tk60 per kg, okra at Tk60 to Tk70, ridge gourd and snake gourd at Tk70 to Tk80, and bitter gourd at Tk80 per kg.
Yardlong bean and teasle gourd are available for Tk80 to Tk90 per kg. The price of aubergines (brinjal) has also come down to between Tk80 and Tk100, while papaya is selling at Tk30 to Tk40 per kg.
Green chillies, which soared to nearly Tk 400 per kg a few weeks ago, have now dropped below Tk100, retailing at Tk80 to Tk100 per kg depending on the market.
However, prices of early hyacinth bean, tomato, and carrot remain relatively high as they are currently out of season. Sellers attributed this to a supply shortage, stating that prices have not fully decreased for these items.
Nevertheless, because of the adequate supply of other vegetables, the market is no longer witnessing the abnormal price hikes seen previously.
Abul Momen, a private sector employee shopping at Chawkbazar, said, “Last month, buying just a few varieties of vegetables cost a lot of money. Now, it has decreased slightly. At least most vegetables are available within Tk100, which brings some relief to our marketing budget.”
Fazlur Rahman, a vegetable vendor in the Bahaddarhat area, explained: “Last month, continuous rain and supply shortages drove up the prices of almost all vegetables. Now that the weather has normalised, a larger volume of vegetables is arriving from the wholesale markets (mokams). Consequently, prices have fallen by Tk20 to Tk50 per kg.”
No relief in the fish market
In contrast to vegetables, the fish market offers no respite to consumers. In various markets across the city, Tilapia is selling at Tk250 to Tk260 per kg, Pangas at Tk230 to Tk250, and Rui-Katla at Tk380 to Tk420 per kg.
Pabda is priced at Tk350 to Tk400, large Rui at Tk450 to Tk500, and Bhetki at Tk 00 to Tk550 per kg.
Tengra is costing buyers nearly Tk700 per kg, while local Koi is selling at Tk700 to Tk800, Bain at Tk600 to Tk800, and Shol at around Tk700 per kg. Prawn prices range from Tk1,000 to Tk1,300 depending on their size.
Hilsa also remains far out of reach for ordinary buyers. Hilsa weighing between 900 grammes and 1 kg is selling for around Tk2,500, while those weighing 1.3 kg require buyers to shell out nearly Tk3,000.
While vegetable prices have eased slightly, buyers are still struggling with the high costs of fish, chicken, and eggs. Farm eggs are currently retailing at Tk 150 per dozen across the city’s markets.
Consumers complained that despite some relief in vegetable prices, their overall kitchen market expenses have not decreased significantly due to the high prices of fish, eggs, and other daily essentials.
They expressed hope that if supply remains steady, prices will drop further once the new season’s vegetables arrive in the market.
