Ahead of the winter season, an abundant supply of vegetables and fish has flooded the market, resulting in a significant drop in prices for these essential food items.
Fish prices have seen a reduction of Tk 20-50 per kg, while numerous vegetables have experienced a price decrease of up to half.
Vendors attribute this price adjustment to the perishable nature of vegetables and fish, prompting traders to swiftly distribute them to the market upon harvest.
The season has led to a substantial increase in vegetable supply, coupled with fishing activities, alleviating the pressure on farmed fish and contributing to the decrease in fish prices, mirroring the trend observed in vegetable prices.
However, the price of sugar rose last week, while other essential food items such as rice, flour, lentils, and edible oil have remained stable at their previous high prices.
A recent visit to various kitchen markets, including Malibagh, Segunbagicha, Shantinagar, and Maniknagar in the capital, revealed a significant surge in the supply of winter vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, gourd, beans, red amaranth, and spinach compared to the previous week. Prices have dropped by Tk 10-20 per kg in the last week alone, with a staggering 50% reduction compared to two weeks ago.
Previously, no vegetable was available for less than Tk 70-80, but currently, prices range from Tk 40 to Tk 50 per kg. Winter vegetables like gourd, cauliflower, cabbage, and beans are now priced at Tk 40-60 per kg, down from Tk 50-70 per kg a week ago and 70-100 per kg two weeks ago.
Similarly, other vegetables like aubergine, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, okra, and tomatoes have seen price drops from Tk 60-80 per kg to Tk 50-70 per kg.
Potatoes are being sold at Tk 50-55, green papaya and green banana at Tk 30-35 per kg, reflecting a Tk 5-10 per kg decrease from a week ago. Green chillies have seen a substantial price reduction by Tk 40-60 per kg, now selling at Tk 120-140 per kg compared to Tk 160-200 per kg a week ago. Coriander leaves and carrots are available at Tk 80-100 per kg.
Anwar Hossain, a vegetable retailer in Malibagh kitchen market, attributes the increased supply to winter vegetable cultivation in various wholesale markets across the country, including Bogura and Narsingdi. He suggests that if there are no disruptions in the supply chain due to political unrest, prices may further decline.
In the past week, the retail prices of fish in the capital's markets have seen a decrease of Tk 20-50 per kg. Varieties like puti and tilapia fish are now priced at Tk 200-250 per kg, down from Tk 220-300 per kg a week ago. Small and medium-sized rohu and catla fish are selling at Tk 280-300 per kg, reduced from Tk 300-400 per kg a week ago. Pangash fish is available at Tk 180-200 per kg, down from Tk 200-220 per kg, and shrimp at Tk 600-700 per kg, compared to the previous Tk 650-700 per kg.
The prices of eggs have also dropped by Tk 5-10 per dozen. Eggs are currently priced at Tk 120-125 per dozen, a decrease from Tk 130-140 per dozen.
