After the holy Eid-ul-Azha celebrations, the capital Dhaka has not yet returned to its usual form. Megacity Dhaka is still largely empty as most people are staying in the villages. This Eid holiday atmosphere has directly affected the kitchen markets in the capital.
More than half of the shops in the raw markets have not opened yet. This eerie silence in the market is due to the fact that a large part of the traders are now outside Dhaka to celebrate Eid. And those who have opened shops are also spending idle time. Vendors said that there are no customers at all in the market after Eid. If people do not return to Dhaka, the market will not be full. A few people who come in a day are also buying very small quantities. Traders have to sit around because there is no business.
Although there are no buyers, the prices of vegetables in the market are quite high. On the pretext of low supply, the prices of many vegetables have increased by Tk 10 to Tk 30 per kg. In the market, eggplant is being sold for Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kilogram, bitter gourd for Tk 70 to Tk 80, sweet potato and fenugreek for Tk 60 to Tk 80, and betel nut for Tk 100. In addition, tomatoes are being sold for Tk 100 and green chillies for Tk 120. Traders claim that fewer goods-carrying vehicles are coming to Dhaka from far-flung districts due to Eid-vacation. Prices are high in the wholesale market due to a shortage of goods in warehouses, which has also affected the retail market. However, general buyers complain that despite the lack of buyers, sellers are increasing prices by syndicating and taking advantage of the supply shortage.
On the other hand, the maximum lack of buyers has been seen in the fish and meat markets after Eid. Due to the Eid of sacrifice, there is no rush at broiler or beef shops as there is sufficient stock of meat in every household. Although the prices of broiler and golden chicken in the market have decreased slightly compared to before Eid, it is said that there are no buyers. Moreover, due to low supply in the market, all types of fish like Hilsa, Rui, Katla or farmed Pangash-Telapia are being sold at the increased prices before Eid. Retail and wholesale traders believe that the market situation will return to normal when offices and courts reopen at the beginning of next week and common people start returning to Dhaka from villages.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
