The early spike in prices of essential items such as potatoes, onions, vegetables, and chicken at the start of Ramadan has mostly eased in Dhaka's markets.
However, due to reduced supply, the price of vegetables is slightly higher.
Overall, commodity prices have been stable from the beginning of the fasting month compared to other years.
Besides, the supply crisis of soybean oil, which existed at the beginning of Ramadan, has now decreased. While the supply of loose soybean oil is normal in all stores, there is still some shortage in the supply of bottled oil in some places.
This picture was found after visiting Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Town Hall Market, Karwan Bazar and Rampura Market in the capital on Friday.
Azizur Rahman, the owner of Chandpur Traders in Mohammadpur Krishi Market, said there had been no bottled soybean oil in the entire Krishi Market for the past few days.
But now the supply has increased somewhat. However, it is less compared to the demand.
After visiting the market, it was seen that the price of vegetables has increased in the capital's market within a week due to reduced supply. However, the price of potatoes remains unchanged. The price of onions and chicken has decreased. The price of fish and meat is also stable.
Upon visiting the market, it was observed that the prices of high-demand items like lemons, cucumbers and eggplants are also decreasing. Eggplants, previously sold for Tk80-Tk100 a kg, are now available for Tk60-Tk80. Lemons are being sold at Tk50-Tk60 per four pieces and cucumbers at Tk40-Tk50 per kg.
The price of beans has increased by Tk20 per kg, now selling at Tk50-Tk60. Large cauliflowers are priced at Tk40-Tk50 each, large cabbages at Tk40-Tk50 each, and each bottle gourd is being sold for Tk50-Tk60. Ripe tomatoes are selling for Tk25-Tk40 a kg, carrots at Tk30-Tk40 per kg, radishes at Tk20 a kg, bitter gourd at Tk80-Tk120 a kg, yardlong beans at Tk100 a kg, papayas at Tk40-Tk50 per kg, sponge gourds at Tk80, snake gourds at Tk80, taro roots at Tk120, taro stems at Tk120 and ridge gourds and green chilies are being sold at Tk60-Tk80 per kg. The prices of bitter gourd and okra have increased by Tk20 per kg compared to last week.
Furthermore, there has been a significant drop in the price of onions, which caused much concern last year. At the retail level, good quality local onions are being sold for Tk36-Tk45 per kg. Last year, consumers had to spend Tk110-Tk130 to buy one kg of local onions during this time. Similarly, the price of potatoes has halved and is now being sold within Tk20-Tk25.
The price of chicken has decreased over the week. At the start of Ramadan, the price of broiler chicken had increased slightly to Tk220. Now, it has decreased again to Tk190-Tk200.
Additionally, the egg market is also declining. During the first day of Ramadan, a dozen farm eggs were sold for Tk130. However, it is now selling for Tk120 per dozen. However, some shops in different alleys are charging Tk5 more per dozen.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
