Home ›› 07 Aug 2021 ›› Back
The prices of vegetables and the essential commodities were stable in the capital’s kitchen markets last week despite a countrywide strict lockdown.
“The demand for vegetables was very low after Eid-ul-Azha but now demand for vegetables is increasing slowly. As supply is adequate, so the prices of vegetables did not increase and we are selling as per the previous rates like those of one week ago,” said Murad Hossain, a retailer at Shukrabad Kitchen Market.
At Rajabazar, Mohakhali, Taltola and Sukrabad kitchen markets, potato was selling at Tk 20- Tk 25, long bean at Tk 40 to Tk 50 per kg , lemon (4 pieces) at Tk 30, cucumber at Tk 35-40, bottle gourd at Tk 40 to Tk 50 based on sizes, ladies finger at Tk 40, pumpkin at Tk 30 per kg, green banana (four pieces) at Tk 30, medium-sized pointed gourd at Tk 35 to Tk 40 per kg, brinjal at Tk 40, green papaya at Tk 30, snake gourd at Tk 40 and bitter gourd at Tk 50.
The price of tomato ranged between Tk 100 and Tk 110, carrot sold at Tk 100 a kilogram, but green chili was selling at Tk 180 to Tk 220 per kg, up from Tk 80 last week.
Salekin, a customer at Sukrabad market said, “Most of the vegetables are within our purchase capacity but the price of green chili is really high. I bought it four days ago only at Tk 80 per kg but now it has hit Tk 200.”
Mohammad Rajon Islam, a vegetable retailer at Taltola Market, said, the rains have caused extensive damage to the green chilli farms, many plants have reeled under water and died. This is the only reason for the increase in the price of chilli. If this trend continues, the price of green chili will go up further. On the other hand, tomato price is high due to insufficient supply and the vegetable is out of season as well.
Meanwhile, one-litre bottle of soyabean oil was selling at Tk 153, a two-litre bottle’s price ranged between Tk 300 and Tk 308 and a five-litre bottle was being sold at Tk 700 to Tk 728.
On the other hand, various fish vendors in the capital claimed that due to lockdown, the number of customers dwindled in the capital and that’s why their turnover was low.
Shopon Mia, a fish trader at Sukrabad Market said, “The supply of fish is abundant as the monsoon is in progress, so the price is a little bit low compared to the previous week.
However, in Mohakhali and Sukrabad markets, different varieties of fish were selling at relatively lower prices. Medium-sized hilsa fish was selling at Tk 600 to Tk 800 per kg, koral fish between Tk 550 and Tk 600 per kg and a kg of big shrimp was selling at Tk 1000 to Tk 1100 while medium-sized one at Tk 400 to Tk 600 per kg, big-sized catfish at Tk 450 to Tk 500, tilapia at Tk 140 to Tk 160, ruhita at Tk 250 to Tk 350 based on size, boal fish at Tk 350 to Tk 550, pabda at Tk 400 to Tk 600 and katla at Tk 250 to Tk 300 among others.
On the other hand, broiler chicken was being sold at Tk 115 to Tk 125 per kg, layer and sonali chicken were selling at Tk 220 to Tk 240. On the other hand, beef was selling at Tk 580 to Tk 600 and mutton at Tk 820 to Tk 860 per kg.
Parvejul Haque, a trader at Taltola Market, attributed the low prices of broiler chicken to the low demand for chicken after Eid-ul-Azha. Besides, with few guests dining out, sales of chicken to hotels and restaurants have also declined due to the lockdown. Moreover, marriage or other social ceremonies are restricted during the pandemic period which has decreased the price of broiler chicken, he added.
Besides, sugar was selling at Tk 72 to Tk 75, lentils of different varieties between Tk 80 and Tk 110 to Tk 115, onion price at Tk 45 to Tk 50, local garlic at Tk 60- Tk 80 and China 120 to Tk 130, local ginger at Tk 120 down from Tk 150, foreign ginger at Tk 150, down from Tk 180 and unpacked flour at Tk 30 per kg and packed flour at Tk 35 to Tk 40 per kg.
The prices of a range of rice were stable in the market. Sorna rice was selling between Tk 45 to Tk 50, miniket at Tk 60 to 65, paijam rice between Tk 48 to Tk 50, kataribogh rice at Tk 55 to Tk 60, BRRI-28 at at Tk 50 and BRRI 29 at Tk 55.
