Vegetable price decline relieves low-income consumers

The prices of most essential vegetables have come down due to increased supply of winter vegetables in the capital’s kitchen markets, bringing relief to middle- and low-income consumers.

Besides, chicken and fish prices have remained almost stable, with their supply increasing as well.

Visiting several markets in Dhaka on Friday, it was seen that the prices of essential vegetables, including cauliflower, red amaranth, bottle gourd, snake gourd, white radish, eggplant, green chilli, brinjal, and okra, had fallen by Tk 10-20 per kg.

Anwar Hossain, a vegetable trader at Karwan Bazar, said vegetable prices were declining as winter vegetables were available.

Several traders said transportation costs had increased, but that had not significantly affected vegetable prices.

“Vegetable prices have decreased but not to the expected level,” consumer Aslam Alam told The Business Post at the Hatirpool kitchen market.

“Prices should fall further as winter vegetables are available in the market, but still I am a bit relieved,” he said.

Several other consumers also expressed relief over the price fall.

Traders on Friday sold tomato at Tk 120-130 per kg, which was Tk 140-150 last week, bean Tk 50-60 per kg, down from Tk 60-80, and green chilli Tk 70-80 per kg, which was Tk 100-120.

Besides, brinjal was sold at Tk 40-60 per kg, bitter melon Tk 70-80 per kg, cabbage Tk 30-35 per piece, okra Tk 50-60 per kg, cucumber and pumpkin Tk 40 per kg, cauliflower Tk 25-30 per piece, white radish Tk 25-30 per kg, green papaya Tk 30-40 per kg, and garlic Tk 140 per kg.

Broiler chicken was sold at Tk 140-142 per kg, which was Tk 142-144 last week. Sonali chicken was sold at Tk 270 per kg, which was Tk 265-270 last week.

In mid-September this year, Sonali chicken price was Tk 290-295 per kg.

Some popular fish prices also remained stable in the last couple of days due to increased supply.

Hilsa was sold at Tk 1,000-1,200 per kg, stinging catfish Tk 650-700 per kg, and pomfret Tk 1,000 per kg.

Alamin Hossain, a fish trader in Mirpur-1, told The Business Post different types of fish were available in the market due to adequate supply.