Dhaka’s kitchen markets have once again slipped beyond control, with almost all vegetables except papaya selling at over Tk80 a kg on Friday. The most volatile was green chilli, which jumped by Tk80–Tk90 overnight to reach Tk400 per kg.
Hilsa also saw a sudden price hike on Friday, with each kg costing Tk500–Tk700 more than the previous day. Prices of other fish and chicken rose as well, forcing consumers to spend extra on their daily meals.
Sellers attributed the surge to reduced supply caused by continuous rainfall and the Durga Puja holidays, which disrupted transport and distribution.
Buyers, however, blamed the situation on the government’s failure to monitor the markets properly, saying the absence of regular inspections has left them vulnerable to unchecked price manipulation.
Firoz Molla, a vegetable trader at Rampura kitchen market, told TIMES of Bangladesh:
“We buy our supplies from Jatrabari. Because of the holidays and heavy rainfall, fewer trucks are arriving, so we are forced to purchase vegetables at higher prices.”
Another trader, Abdul Latif, echoed the concern. He said excessive rainfall had flooded vegetable fields and damaged crops, reducing supply and pushing prices up.
A visit to several kitchen markets in the city on Friday revealed unusual hikes in vegetable prices.
Just a day earlier, green chilli was selling for Tk310–Tk320 a kg, but within 24 hours the price had shot up to Tk400.
Other vegetables also became more expensive over the past week. Depending on the variety, aubergine was selling for Tk130–Tk180 a kg, bitter gourd for Tk120–Tk130, tomato for Tk160, carrot for Tk120, cucumber for Tk70, and lemon at Tk40 for four pieces.
Okra was selling for Tk80 a kg, pointed gourd for Tk70, capsicum for Tk80, while both cauliflower and cabbage were priced at Tk80 a kg.
Nilufa Yasmin, a shopper at the Rampura kitchen market, said: “Just two days ago I bought green chilli at Tk300 a kg. Within a day, the price has gone up by Tk100. Because of the steep price, I could only afford 250 grams.
Sellers are charging extra for almost every vegetable. If this continues, we in the middle class will be left with nothing to eat.”
Meanwhile, in just three days, chicken prices rose by Tk15–Tk20 per kg. Broiler chicken is now selling at Tk180 a kg, while Sonali chicken is priced between Tk320 and Tk330.
Fish has also become costlier. Only a day ago, hilsa was selling for Tk1,500–Tk1,600 per kg, but by Friday the price had surged to Tk1,900–Tk2,000. Smaller hilsa (jatka) is being sold at Tk600–Tk650 a kg, pabda at Tk460–Tk500, and kachki at Tk500–Tk550.
Shoppers said the rising costs are making it difficult to meet their daily needs. Many are being forced to buy smaller quantities of vegetables, fish, and chicken than they normally would.
Sajib Ahmed, a customer, told TIMES: “I came to buy hilsa on Friday because of the holiday, but the prices are so high that I had to return empty-handed. Even chicken has become more expensive. With such soaring prices, it is becoming impossible for us to provide even the basic protein needs of our children.”
Ctg markets see soaring vegetable prices
In Chattogram, the picture was no different. Despite the onset of cooler weather, vegetable prices in the port city have shown no sign of easing. In fact, the cost of winter vegetables has climbed higher, with beans now selling for as much as Tk240 per kg. Green chilli prices surged by Tk100 in a week to sell between Tk280 and Tk320 per kg on Friday.
Among vegetables, only raw papaya remained cheap at Tk20–Tk25 a kg. Yard-long beans and bitter gourd were selling for Tk100, while pointed gourd and snake gourd were priced at Tk80.
Small cauliflowers and cabbages, which sold for Tk60–Tk70 last week, were up to Tk80–Tk100 apiece.
“There is a severe shortage of green chilli in the wholesale market. Heavy rain has destroyed crops, and imports from India have also stopped. That’s why this crisis has emerged,” said Monir Uddin, a seller at Pahartali market.
Poultry and eggs also became pricier in Chattogram. Sonali chicken climbed by Tk50 in a week to Tk350 per kg, broiler chicken sold at Tk170–Tk175, farm eggs at Tk130–Tk135 a dozen, local chicken eggs at Tk180, and duck eggs at Tk230.
