Despite various initiatives, the market situation remains unstable, with prices of essential goods such as rice, fish, chicken, and eggs continuing to rise.
While the vegetable market has remained steady, with some prices even falling, costs for other staples are climbing. Egg prices remain high across many markets in the capital despite imports from India, and broiler chicken prices have jumped by Tk 10 per kilogram while eggs are being sold with an increase of upwards to Tk 4 per four pieces at retail.
Sellers from markets like the ones at Khilgaon, Segunbagicha, Malibagh, and Karwan Bazar report that most food items, except vegetables, are seeing price hikes.
‘What is really happening?’
Meanwhile, buyers are calling for stronger government action to stabilise prices, particularly for fish, meat, and rice. Though the interim government initially reduced prices after taking office, many consumers are now concerned about the renewed rise in food costs.
A frustrated shopper at Malibagh Railgate market expressed his exasperation, saying, "In this country, anything seems possible. Despite importing eggs to control prices, they’re still going up. What is really happening in the market?"
He noted that while the price of Sonali chicken had dropped by Tk 10-20 per kilogram to Tk 270, the price of broiler chicken had risen to Tk 190 per kilogram.
On September 9, a total of 2.31 lakh eggs were imported through the Benapole Land Port in Jashore at a rate of Tk 7.5 per egg, including customs duty. Over the next two months, an additional 4.7 million eggs are expected to arrive through the same port. Each egg from India was purchased for Tk 5.70, with an import duty of Tk 1.83 per egg.
Despite this large influx of imports, there has been little impact on the local egg market. "We want egg prices to drop too, so we can sell more," said one retailer. "But prices remain high at the wholesale level, forcing us to keep retail prices up."
On September 11, the Bangladesh Poultry Association (BPA) released a statement highlighting that the country's daily egg demand is 40 million, while local production exceeds this with 45 million eggs per day. The association warned that importing eggs could jeopardise local farmers, who might be driven out of business, potentially leading to a deeper crisis in the future.
Regarding the price increase, a wholesale trader in Karwan Bazar, Abdullah, explained that due to recent floods in several districts, many poultry farms were destroyed, and thus reducing the supply of chickens and eggs in those areas.
Additionally, he claimed that the eggs imported from India are only a small portion of the total demand, so the price is not decreasing due to the limited supply.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), egg prices have risen by 7.14 per cent over the past month. Their data shows that the current price of a dozen eggs is Tk 52, compared to Tk 48 recorded a month ago.
Meanwhile, broiler chicken prices, which ranged from Tk 160 to Tk 170 per kilogram last week, have increased by Tk 10 to Tk 20 and are now selling for Tk 170 to Tk 190 per kilogram. However, the price of Sonali chicken has decreased by some Tk 15 per kilogram and is now being sold for Tk 260 to Tk 270. The price of local poultry remains unchanged at Tk 500 to Tk 550 per kilogram.
Vegetables offer relief
However, consumers are finding some relief in the vegetable market, with prices for several products dropping by as much as Tk 20 per kilogram over the past month.
Bottle gourds, which were priced at Tk 80 last month, are now available for Tk 50 each. Papayas have fallen to Tk 30 per kilogram, down from Tk 40, while sponge gourds are now Tk 50, a significant drop from Tk 80. Taro stems (Kochur Loti) are priced at Tk 60, compared to Tk 100 previously, and cucumbers have fallen to Tk 50 from Tk 75. Green chilies, once selling at Tk 350, are now priced at Tk 200 per kilogram.
Winter vegetables are also making their way into the markets. Hyacinth beans are selling for Tk 200, cauliflower is priced at Tk 50 each, ripe tomatoes are going for Tk 150-160 per kilogram, and carrots are being sold for Tk 160 per kilogram. Lemons are available at Tk 10 to Tk 20 for four pieces.
However, the price of local onions has surged to Tk 100-120 per kilogram over the past week, while potatoes are being sold at Tk 60 per kilogram.
