Vegetable prices have surged sharply across Dhaka’s kitchen markets over the past week, despite steady supplies, as continuous rainfall disrupts transportation and slows deliveries from outlying districts.
A visit to several markets in Mirpur-11 and 12 on Friday revealed that with the exception of green papaya, no vegetable is currently available for under Tk 50 per kilogram. Green chili prices saw the steepest hike, jumping to Tk 300–320 per kg—up from just Tk 80–100 a week ago.
“The green chili I bought for Tk 100 per kg just days ago now costs me Tk 280 to 290,” said Riaz Uddin, a vendor at Mirpur-11 kitchen market. He blamed disrupted supply chains and alleged hoarding by wholesalers. “Once the rain stops, prices will come down,” he added.
Another vendor, Mukbul, echoed the concern. “There’s a severe shortage of green chili at the wholesale level. We had to pay over Tk 250 per kg, so the retail price is bound to go up,” he said.
Prices of other vegetables have also gone up by Tk 5 to 10 per kg. Current market rates per kilogram include tomato at Tk 90–120, eggplant at Tk 90–100, bitter gourd at Tk 80, cucumber at Tk 60–80, and taro stem at Tk 80–100. Gourd varieties such as pointed, ridge, and sponge are selling between Tk 60–70 per kg. Teasel gourd is priced at Tk 80–100, while okra is slightly cheaper at Tk 40–50 per kg. Green papaya remains the most affordable at Tk 30–40 per kg. Four pieces of green banana are priced at Tk 30–40, and yardlong beans are selling at Tk 60 per kg.
“It’s been raining for days and several areas are flooded,” said Sobhan Ahmed, another vegetable trader. “This has significantly reduced supply, and prices have naturally shot up.”
The poultry market has also witnessed price hikes. Broiler chicken now sells at Tk 170 per kg, up by Tk 20 from last week in areas like Shewrapara and Taltola. Other varieties include sonali cock at Tk 300 per kg, sonali hybrid at Tk 270, red layer at Tk 290, white layer at Tk 280, and local chicken at Tk 660 per kg.
Egg prices are also on the rise, with one dozen red eggs selling for Tk 120, duck eggs at Tk 220, and local chicken eggs at Tk 90 per dozen.
Fish prices remain elevated as well. One-kilogram hilsa is being sold for as high as Tk 2,800. Other fish include farmed catfish (shing) at Tk 300–400 per kg, native catfish at Tk 800–1,000, and rohu fish at Tk 350–500 depending on size.
At Muslim Bazar, a shopper named Shefali Akter was seen haggling over the price of sonali chicken. “I just wanted to make soup,” she said, “but the vendor is asking Tk 290 per kg when I bought it for Tk 280 last week.”
Many consumers have accused sellers of exploiting the weather as an excuse to artificially inflate prices, raising concerns over affordability amid persistent rain and flooding.