With Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, kitchen markets across Dhaka are witnessing significant price hikes for essential festive items, particularly spices, meat, and fish, while vegetables remain largely stable or even cheaper as traders prepare to leave for their villages, reports UNB.
Spices have seen the steepest surge, with prices rising Tk 50–200 per kg over the past few days. Cardamom (Elachi) leads the hike, now selling near Tk 5,000 per kg, up Tk 220–250 from last week. Cinnamon retails at Tk 580–600, mace (Jaitri) at Tk 4,000, nutmeg (Jaiphal) at Tk 1,500, cloves at Tk 1,800–2,000, and cumin (Jeera) at Tk 700–800 per kg. Dry fruits have also climbed, with cashews priced up to Tk 1,800 and pistachios at Tk 4,000 per kg.
Meat prices have risen sharply due to high festival demand. Beef is selling at Tk 850 per kg, up around Tk 80, while mutton commands Tk 1,350–1,400 per kg, a jump of more than Tk 100. Poultry prices are relatively stable, with broiler chicken at Tk 210–220 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk 350–360. Egg prices have seen a slight decline.
The fish market remains expensive: Ruhi sells for Tk 350–400 per kg, Pabda for Tk 450–500, and large prawns (Golda Chingri) fetch up to Tk 1,200 per kg.
Supply shortages of bottled soybean oil have pushed loose oil prices to Tk 215–220 per litre. Sugar remains high, with local varieties at Tk 140 per kg and imported sugar at Tk 100–105. Fragrant rice (Chinigura) has increased Tk 20–30 per kg, now selling at Tk 140–175 depending on the brand.
Vegetables, by contrast, are more affordable as vendors sell off stock before heading home. Onions are Tk 30–40, potatoes Tk 18–20, and tomatoes Tk 30–40 per kg. Green chillies remain expensive at Tk 80–100 per kg, and lemons are Tk 60–80 per Hali (4 pieces). Vermicelli (Semai) prices are stable, with 200g packets at Tk 40–45.
Kamrul, a retailer at Karwan Bazar, said, “I am leaving for my village tonight. I have excess stock, so I am selling at lower prices to clear inventory.”
The early Eid price volatility reflects both rising demand for festival staples and temporary shifts in market supply as traders prepare for holiday departures.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
