In Dhaka's kitchen markets, the price of tomatoes has doubled over the past week, soaring from Tk 60-80 per kg to Tk 120-150 per kg. Eggplant prices have also increased from Tk 40-75 per kg to Tk 80-110 per kg.
All types of vegetables, including tomatoes and eggplants, have seen price hikes of Tk 10-30 per kg, with some even doubling in price.
Sellers attribute this surge to the ongoing floods and heavy rains affecting various parts of the country. The flooding has inundated many vegetable fields near rivers, halting production, while the heavy rain has disrupted transportation systems.
The Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM) under the Ministry of Agriculture reported that green chilli prices have risen to Tk 180-280 per kg in Dhaka's kitchen markets, including Mohammadpur, Mirpur, Karwan Bazar, and Hatirpool, up from Tk 160-220 per kg.
Potato prices are now Tk 56-60 per kg, compared to Tk 55-60 per kg a week ago.
Gourd prices have increased to Tk 45-70 each, from Tk 30-60 last week. Long bean prices have risen by Tk 10-20 per kg, now selling at Tk 80-100 per kg. Sweet pumpkin prices have also gone up to Tk 40-60 each, from Tk 30-40 each. Okra is now Tk 50-70 per kg, up from Tk 30-60 per kg last week, and carrots are selling for Tk 80-90 per kg, compared to Tk 60-80 per kg last week.
Anwar Hossain, a trader at Mugda kitchen market in Dhaka, said, "The supply of many vegetables has decreased in the wholesale markets due to floods in different parts of the country. Additionally, the cost of transporting vegetables from wholesale to retail markets has increased due to rain. Many vegetables are rotting in rainwater. Therefore, prices are increasing to adjust for these losses."
On the other hand, the prices of eggs and chicken have dropped this week. Brown layer eggs are being sold for Tk 150-155 per dozen, down from Tk 160-170 last week.
Broiler chicken prices have decreased to Tk 170-180 per kg from Tk 180-200 per kg last week. Sonali breed chicken prices have also fallen, now selling for Tk 280-310 per kg, down from Tk 320-350 per kg a week ago.
