Prices of most of the vegetables have dropped after around two months in the capital’s kitchen markets with the arrival of fresh crops ahead of the winter season.
Amid a soaring trend of prices of all the essential commodities, prices of vegetables, farm eggs and chicken have declined over the last week, but that of sugar, onion, potatoes and rice still remain high.
Additionally, the arrival of hilsa fish in the markets has helped stabilise the fish market.
While visiting different kitchen markets in Mirpur, Dhaka on Friday, it was found that the farm egg price has declined to Tk150 per dozen from Tk155 in a week.
Green chilli prices dropped by Tk40 per kg and sold at Tk120 per kg on that day.
The price of beans has declined to Tk120 per kg from Tk160, cauliflower to Tk30-40 per piece from Tk50-60, cabbage to Tk40 per piece from Tk60, carrots to Tk120 per kg from Tk160, snake gourd to Tk70 per kg from Tk80, and tomatoes to Tk140-160 per kg Tk160–180 in a week.
Radishes sold at the previous week's price of Tk60 per kg, Brinjal at Tk60–80 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk70–80 per kg, pointed gourd at Tk50–60 per kg, spiny gourd at Tk100 per kg, okra at Tk80 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk100 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk40–60 per piece, green papaya at Tk30–40 per kg, sponge gourd at Tk80 per kg, ridge gourd at Tk100 per kg, taro stalk at Tk80–100 per kg and cucumber at Tk60–80 per kg on Friday.
Economic analyst and seasoned business journalist Babu Kamruzzaman noted that the arrival of large supplies of winter crops and rice is expected in the market soon. So, prices of essentials are likely to drop further in the coming weeks.
He also said demand for potatoes, eggs, and chicken will also decrease as winter vegetables become more widely available across the country. However, it is alarming that inflation hit double digits again last month. The interim government must ensure a smooth supply chain to address this issue effectively.
Compared to last week, all types of chicken prices have also dropped. The price of broiler chicken declined by Tk10 per kg and sold at around Tk190 per kg. Price of sonali chicken dropped by Tk40 per kg and sold at Tk300 per kg. Sonali hybrids sold at Tk290 per kg, while local chicken sold at Tk540 per kg on Friday.
However, local onions sold at Tk160 per kg and Indian onions at Tk120 per kg on the weekly holiday, the same high prices as the previous week.
Newly harvested ginger sold at Tk120 per kg, old ginger at Tk280-300 per kg, garlic at Tk240 per kg, newly harvested potatoes at Tk120 per kg and old potatoes at Tk70 per kg on that day.
Beef sold at Tk650–800 per kg, beef head meat at Tk450, beef tripe at Tk350–400 per kg, and mutton at Tk1,150–1,200 per kg on the same day.
The fish market has stabilised with the arrival of hilsa after the ban on catching fish ended. Hilsa weighing 500 grams currently priced at Tk1,000 per kg, hilsa weighing 700-800 grams at Tk1,500, and hilsa weighing 1 kg at Tk1,800 per kg.
Farmed catfish (depending on size) sells at Tk350-450 per kg. Meanwhile, rohu fish price increased from Tk320-400 to Tk380-500 per kg, depending on size.
Courtesy: Daily Sun.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
