Despite a decline in vegetable prices, the fish and chicken markets remain unstable, leaving consumers in strain. Additionally, despite the government’s various initiatives to regulate the rice market, prices have not decreased. Even after imports, rice continues to be sold at high prices. A visit to Khilkhet, Joar Sahara, and Mohakhali markets in Dhaka on Friday revealed this situation.
Chicken market
In the chicken market, the price of Sonali chicken increased by Tk 20 per kilogram, now selling at Tk 340. Hybrid Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk 320 per kilogram, red layer chicken at Tk 300, and white layer chicken at Tk 290.
However, the price of broiler chicken decreased by Tk 10 to Tk 190 per kilogram, while local chicken remains unchanged at Tk 520 per kilogram.
Fish market
The fish market remains equally expensive, with 500-gram hilsa being sold for Tk 1,100, 700–800-gram hilsa for Tk 1,700, and 1-kg hilsa for Tk 2,000 per kilogram.
Shing fish is priced between Tk 400 and Tk 600 per kilogram, while Rui fish, which has seen a price increase, is selling at Tk 360 to Tk 450 per kilogram.
Desi magur is being sold at Tk 800 to Tk 1,000 per kilogram, while mrigal is priced at Tk 350 to Tk 400. Farmed pangas are available at Tk 200 to Tk 230 per kilogram, prawns are selling for Tk 750 to Tk 1,200 per kilogram, and boal fish costs Tk 600 to Tk 800.
Other popular fish varieties like katla are priced at Tk 350 to Tk 450 per kilogram, pabda at Tk 400 to Tk 450, tilapia at Tk 220, farmed koi at Tk 200 to Tk 230, mola at Tk 500, batashi tengra at Tk 1,300 and tengra at Tk 600 to Tk 800 per kilogram.
Premium options like rupchanda are being sold at Tk 1,200, desi koi at Tk 1,200, while shol, and ayr fish are priced between Tk 600 and Tk 1,200 per kilogram, depending on size.
Soared rice price
In the rice market, fine or Miniket rice is being sold for Tk 78 to Tk 82 per kilogram, while Nazirshail rice costs Tk 85 to Tk 90 per kilogram depending on quality. A month ago, Miniket was priced at Tk 72 to Tk 80, and Nazirshail was Tk 80 to Tk 85 per kilogram.
Medium or BR-28 and Paijam varieties are priced at Tk 60 to Tk 66 per kilogram, while coarse or guti shorna rice costs Tk 60 to Tk 62 per kilogram.
Meat price
Meat prices also remain high, with beef being sold at Tk 650 to Tk 780 per kilogram, beef liver at Tk 780 per kilogram, and beef head meat at Tk 450 per kilogram.
Mutton is priced at Tk 1,100 to Tk 1,200 per kilogram, and spleen (bot) is selling for Tk 350 to Tk 400 per kilogram.
Egg price
Egg prices remain steep as well, with a dozen red eggs being sold for Tk 140, duck eggs for Tk 220, and one hali (four eggs) of desi chicken eggs priced at Tk 90.
Vegetable market
However, winter vegetables are still available at lower prices, offering some relief to consumers. Potatoes are being sold at Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kilogram, onions at Tk 40 to Tk 50, brinjal at Tk 40 to Tk 50, and beans at Tk 30 to Tk 50 per kilogram.
Green papaya is priced at Tk 25 to Tk 30 per kilogram, while bitter gourd is being sold for Tk 50 to Tk 60. Radish is priced at Tk 15 to Tk 20 per kilogram, yardlong beans at Tk 50 to Tk 60, carrots at Tk 40 to Tk 50, and pumpkin at Tk 30 per kilogram. Cauliflower and cabbage are available for Tk 15 to Tk 20 per piece depending on quality, while gourds are priced at Tk 40 to Tk 50 per piece.
Translated by Fariha Nowshin Chinika
