Tomato prices have soared in Dhaka's kitchen markets, exceeding Tk 200 per kg despite significant imports. On Friday, the retail price for tomatoes surged by Tk 50 per kg in just one day. Green chillies, onions, garlic, and ginger have also experienced sharp price increases.
The country's tomato season runs from November to May. After the season ends, imports are necessary to meet demand. Recently, about 48,000 tonnes of tomatoes were imported to cover the shortfall.
According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, more than 13,000 tonnes of tomatoes were approved for import from July 1-8. Already, about 1,000 tonnes have been imported. Yet, prices are rapidly increasing.
On Friday, tomatoes were sold for Tk 200-220 per kg, compared to Tk 150-180 per kg on Thursday. A month ago, tomatoes were sold for Tk 70-90 per kg.
In addition, green chillies and rice prices are also rising. Sellers attribute the increase in green chillies prices to the severe heatwave in April, which damaged local crops. Despite increased imports from India, green chillies prices remained high, with top-quality chillies selling for Tk 220-280 per kg at retail.
About 1,500 tonnes of green chillies were imported in the last eight days, according to the agricultural ministry.
Meanwhile, onion prices have surged to Tk 110-120 per kg, a Tk 15 per kg increase in a week.
Habibur Rahman, a spice trader at Dhaka’s Shyambazar kitchen market, said, “Local onion supply is tight; therefore, traders are considering costly imports from India. Chinese ginger is wholesaled at Tk 220-230 per kg and retailed at Tk 300-350 per kg.”
Rice prices have increased by Tk 2-3 per kg as well. Coarse rice is now sold for Tk 52-55 per kg, medium rice for Tk 60-65 per kg and fine rice for Tk 72-85 per kg, according to kitchen market sources.
Alomgir Hossain, a grocery salesman in West Maniknagar, confirmed that prices of all kinds of rice have increased by Tk 2-2.5 per kg in the last seven days.
Coarse lentil prices also rose by Tk 5-10 per kg, sold at Tk 110-120 per kg, while medium lentils retailed for Tk 120-125 per kg, and finer varieties for Tk 150-160 per kg.
However, egg prices have slightly decreased by Tk 5-10 per dozen, selling at Tk 150-155 on Friday.
