Market prices in Chattogram remain volatile as the costs of eggs, poultry, and fish continue to rise, despite a significant drop in the price of green chilies following the commencement of imports from India.
The kitchen markets in the port city had seen abnormal price hikes in recent weeks, with traders citing heavy rainfall and sudden flooding as the primary reasons.
Green chili, which had reached a peak of Tk400 per kilogram in retail markets, has seen its price decrease by Tk80 to Tk120 per kg over the past week after the government permitted imports to stabilise the supply.
However, a survey of Kazir Dewri, Reazuddin Bazar, Karnafuli Market, Bahaddarhat, and Chawkbazar on Friday revealed that many essential items remain beyond the reach of average consumers.
Vegetable and essential prices
While long brinjal prices dropped to Tk80–Tk100 per kg from Tk120 the previous week, round brinjals are still selling for approximately Tk150 per kg.
Other vegetable prices remain high, with cucumbers at Tk60–Tk80, green papaya at Tk35–Tk40, and various gourds – including sponge gourd, ridge gourd, and snake gourd – ranging between Tk80 and Tk100 per kg.
Additional market data shows that taro root (kachur loti) is selling for Tk80–100, taro (kachurmukhi) for Tk70–Tk80, pointed gourd for Tk60–Tk80, and bitter gourd for Tk90–Tk120 per kg. Ash gourds are priced at Tk50–Tk70 per piece, while local bottle gourds cost Tk70–Tk90.
Among other essentials, onion prices remain high at Tk 50–60 per kg, while potatoes have remained stable at Tk 25 per kg.
Poultry, egg prices surge
The protein market has seen a sharp upward trend. The price of broiler chicken has risen by Tk 10 to Tk 20 over the week, now retailing at Tk 200–220 per kg. Sonali chicken has seen an even steeper increase of Tk 30, with prices reaching Tk 360–370 per kg.
Eggs are also becoming more expensive, with a dozen selling for Tk 150 in major markets, while local neighbourhood shops are charging up to Tk 160. A single ‘hali’ (four pieces) of eggs is now priced at Tk 50 or more.
Mahbub, a poultry trader at Bahaddarhat market, noted that supply has been lower than usual for several weeks. He added that as the prices of vegetables and fish rose due to the rain, many consumers shifted to eggs and chicken as alternatives, further driving up demand.
Jasim Uddin, a shopper, expressed concern that these hikes directly impact low-income families who rely on broiler chicken and farmed fish like Pangas and Tilapia as their primary protein sources.
Fish market remains unstable
The fish market offers little relief, with the prices of most farmed fish increasing by Tk 20 to Tk 30 per kg within a week. Currently, live Pangas is selling for Tk 230 and Tilapia at Tk 260. Medium-sized Rui is priced at Tk 300–350, while large Rui costs between Tk 450 and Tk 500 per kg.
Other varieties are also costly: shrimp (Tk800–Tk900), Pabda (Tk350–Tk400), Tengra (Tk700), Barramundi (Vetki) (Tk400–Tk550), Mrigel (Tk250–Tk300), and Baim (Tk600–Tk800). Local Koi is retailing at Tk700–Tk800, while farmed Koi is Tk300. Other prices include Poa at Tk260, Shol at Tk700, and farmed Shing at Tk300–Tk450.
Premium selections like Rupchanda, large Shol, and river-sourced Bele fish are now exceeding Tk1,000 per kg.
Traders believe the supply chain has not yet fully recovered from the impact of continuous rainfall. They expressed hope that if the weather remains favourable and imports continue, prices for more kitchen market staples may decrease in the coming weeks.
