A degree of relief has returned to the kitchen markets of Chattogram as early winter vegetables have started arriving in higher quantities.
Increased supply has brought down prices, with several staples including beans, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, and potatoes selling below Tk50 per kg or per piece. Prices of brinjal, green chilli, and bitter gourd have also dropped.
However, tomatoes remain expensive at Tk80 to Tk90 per kg. Meanwhile, fish and meat prices have remained unchanged compared to last week, leaving general consumers under pressure despite savings on vegetables.
A visit to the city’s Karnafuli Complex, Bahaddarhat, and Chawkbazar markets on Friday revealed this market scenario.
A survey of the markets showed beans selling at Tk50 to Tk60 per kg. Depending on size, cauliflower is priced at Tk40 to Tk50 each, while cabbage sells at Tk50 to Tk60 each. Radish is available at Tk30 to Tk40 per kg.
Sponge gourd, ridge gourd, and yam are being sold at Tk40 to Tk50 per kg. Brinjal prices range from Tk30 to Tk40 per kg depending on variety and size.
Green chilli is priced at Tk40 to Tk50 per kg. Local cucumber is selling at Tk50 per kg, whereas hybrid cucumber ranges from Tk30 to Tk40 per kg.
Pointed gourd is available at Tk30 per kg. Okra and taro stem are priced at Tk50 to Tk60 per kg, while yardlong bean, bitter gourd, and teasel gourd sell at Tk40 to Tk50 per kg. Bottle gourd sells at Tk40 to Tk50 per piece.
Papaya is available at Tk30 per kg, sweet pumpkin at Tk30 to Tk40 per kg, and potatoes at Tk20 to Tk25 per kg.
Sellers said the supply of winter vegetables has increased compared to earlier, leading to price drops for several items. However, adequate quantities of all winter vegetables have not yet reached the market.
Traders said prices could fall further once supplies increase fully.
A vegetable seller mentioned that prices have dropped slightly with the arrival of winter produce, but stocks are not yet fully abundant. He added that cauliflower and cabbage are currently selling at Tk40 to Tk50 each depending on size, or Tk60 per kg.
While vegetable markets offer some respite, fish prices remain virtually unchanged from the previous week.
Rui fish is selling at Tk280 to Tk380 per kg depending on size, large tilapia at Tk180 to Tk200 per kg, and silver carp and grass carp at Tk180 to Tk200 per kg. Pangas is priced between Tk160 and Tk250 per kg.
Katla is selling at Tk350 to Tk380 per kg, farmed koi at Tk200 to Tk220 per kg, and Pabda at Tk380 to Tk420 per kg.
Relief remains elusive in the hilsa market, where prices range from Tk800 to Tk2,300 per kg based on size and quality, with large hilsa fetching up to Tk2,600 per kg in certain markets.
Meat prices have also remained stable without significant fluctuations. Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk170 to Tk190 per kg, while Sonali chicken costs Tk320 to Tk330 per kg. Beef prices stand at Tk800 to Tk850 per kg, and mutton is priced between Tk1,200 and Tk1,250 per kg.
With no notable changes in fish and meat prices from last week, general buyers continue to face overall budget pressure.
