After resolving the supply issues, prices of most essential commodities, including eggs, chicken, and vegetables, have decreased in Dhaka’s kitchen markets on Thursday.
Traders mentioned that the supply of products had been low for several days due to political unrest. Additionally, many shops were closed out of fear of attacks amid the recent violence, which led to an increase in the price of goods.
As the situation is returning to normal, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has also resumed its market monitoring. This has contributed to a decrease in the prices of essential goods in both wholesale and retail markets.
Eggs were sold at Tk 150 per dozen in Dhaka’s kitchen markets on Thursday, down from Tk 170-190 just a day earlier.
Noor-e-Alam, an egg trader at Dhaka’s Shegunbagicha kitchen market, explained that egg wholesale shops were closed for two days due to fears of vandalism and arson, which affected the retail market.
He mentioned that the price of eggs had increased by Tk 25-30 per dozen and as the supply is increasing now, prices have returned to their previous levels.
Similarly, the prices of chicken and fish have also decreased. On Thursday, broiler chickens were sold at Tk 170-180 per kg in the kitchen markets, down from Tk 190-200 per kg just a day or two ago. Sonali breed chickens were sold at Tk 290-300 per kg, down from Tk 300-320 per kg.
Rohi fish were sold at Tk 300-450 per kg on Thursday, while Hilsa fish at Tk 1,000-1,800 per kg, down from Tk 1,200-2,000 per kg last week.
In the last two to three days, the price of vegetables has decreased by Tk 20-30 per kg in the kitchen markets. Onions were sold at Tk 110-120 per kg on Thursday, down from Tk 130-140 per kg.
Additionally, potatoes were priced at Tk 60-70 per kg, a decrease from Tk 70 per kg last week and okra was sold at Tk 50-60 per kg, down from Tk 60-80 per kg the previous week.
Bitter gourd was retailed at Tk 80-100 per kg on Thursday, down from Tk 100 per kg while green chillies were sold at Tk 180-250 per kg, a decrease from Tk 250-300 per kg a week ago.
Apart from this, rice, lentils, edible oil, flour, and sugar have been sold at their previous normal prices. Loose flour was sold at Tk 40-45 per kg, coarse lentils at Tk 115-120 per kg, and small grain lentils at Tk 130-140 per kg. Sugar was sold at Tk 130-140 per kg.
Market monitoring
Campaign and supervision activities were conducted in Dhaka’s Shyambazar wholesale kitchen market under the leadership of AHM Safiquzzaman, director general of the DNCRP, aiming to stabilise the price and supply of essential products.
During the campaign, DNCRP officials engaged with suppliers and traders regarding the price, supply, and transportation of essential commodities.
Market surveillance revealed a decrease in miscellaneous expenses related to the transportation of essential commodities, and stock levels are now normal. This is expected to help bring prices down to a reasonable level. The officials also commended the recent market monitoring efforts by students.
