Staff Reporter :
While vegetable prices began to decline in the capital kitchen market with as ample, but sudden rain makes it costlier for city dweller again.
However, the price of hyacinth beans and onions has risen drastically.
The beans’ prices were increased by Tk20 this week, and sellers have attributed this increase to the arrival of a new variety. They also expected the prices to decrease in a few days.
Meanwhile, the price of onions has gone up by Tk5 to Tk10 per kg. Sellers, however, are uncertain about the cause of this price increase.
In the current market, local onions are being retailed at Tk120 per kg, hybrid onions at Tk120, and Indian onions at Tk110.
A visit to a kitchen market in Dhaka’s Palashi, Anandabazar, New market, Hatirpul, Killarmor Bazar revealed the current situation.
Regarding the price of onions, a seller Mahbub said: “I do not know why onion prices have increased.
But I understand that everyone will have to pay more for onions until the new harvest.”
Motahar Hossain, who came to buy onions at the market, said: “I have given up hope that onion prices will decrease. I buy and consume less now.”
However, compared to last week, the prices of vegetables in the market are almost unchanged.
Now, at most kitchen markets, beans are priced at Tk60-100, turnips at Tk50, raw tomatoes at Tk60, ripe tomatoes at Tk100, spring onions at Tk90-120, radish at Tk40, carrots at Tk80-100, long eggplants at Tk40, white round eggplants at Tk60, black round eggplants at Tk70, cucumber at Tk50-80, bitter gourd at Tk60, bitter melon at Tk80, papaya at Tk40, pointed gourd at Tk80, pumpkin at Tk50, okra at Tk60, snake gourd at Tk60, yardlong beans at Tk80, taro stems at Tk60, green chili at Tk120, coriander at sold at Tk120 per kg. Each cauliflower is being sold at Tk30-40, cabbage at Tk40-50, and ash gourd at Tk60.
Like last week, both red and white potatoes are being sold at Tk50. Additionally, new potatoes are being sold at Tk80-100 per kg.
When inquired about the price hike of the winter vegetables, a seller named Mannan said they are charging more because there are new varieties in the market now. He also hoped the prices would decrease soon.
Meanwhile, Humayun, a customer purchasing vegetables at a local kitchen market, said: “The vendors are always finding reasons to increase prices.”
In addition to this, Indian ginger is being sold at Tk200 per kg, local garlic at Tk220, and Chinese garlic at Tk180.
Illish is being sold at Tk1,500-1,600 per kg, labeo rohita (rui) at Tk380-600, catla at Tk400-550, calbasu at Tk450-700, shrimp at Tk700-1,000, kachki at Tk500-600, koi fish at Tk250-500, butter at Tk400-700, barbel at Tk400-600, bele at Tk600-1,200, tengra at Tk800, meni at Tk500-700, jamuna ailia at Tk1,200-1,400, helicopter catfish at Tk600-1,200 per kg.
Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk170-190 per kg, cock chicken at Tk256-263, layer chicken at Tk220, local chicken at Tk550, and beef at Tk600 per kg.
Additionally, a dozen brown eggs are being sold at Tk120 and white eggs at Tk115.
Md Sultan, a beef seller, said: “Since the price of beef dropped, we’ve seen a significant increase in customers. We barely have any time to rest.”
Jewel, a customer purchasing meat, said: “Beef had become nearly unaffordable. I am buying it now because the price has lowered a bit.”
Besides, the prices of grocery store items remain unchanged from last week. However, grocery store owners complain that they are not receiving soybean oil from several companies. They suspect that the companies might be doing this in anticipation of a price increase.
Md Selim Hossen, a trader at a local store, said: “We have not been getting soybean oil for the past week. When asked, the company representatives say they have temporarily stopped supply because the price is going to increase. All companies, except Bashundhara, are doing the same.”
Md Jahangir Alam, a seller at New Baby Varieties Store, said: “We have not been receiving Rupchanda oil for the last 15-20 days. Teer, Bashundhara, and others are supplying somewhat. I heard they are doing this because they plan to increase the rate.”
