Although egg prices, which had been rising abnormally for some time, saw a slight decrease on Thursday, consumers remained concerned as vegetable prices surged due to supply shortages caused by incessant rain and flooding.
According to market data, most vegetables are now being sold at around Tk 100 per kilogram. Additionally, the price of cooking oil has risen by Tk 2.5 to 3 per litre this week.
Consumers expressed frustration, stating that price hikes in essential commodities are causing severe hardship, particularly for low- and middle-income households. They urged the government to improve the production system and strengthen market monitoring.
News of egg imports lower prices
Egg prices dropped by Tk 15-20 per dozen in the last three days, following the announcement of egg imports into Dhaka's kitchen markets on Tuesday.
Retail prices for farm chicken eggs in various markets across Dhaka, including Shewrapara, Moghbazar, and Mohammadpur Krishi markets, ranged from Tk 160 to Tk 170 per dozen.
In Karwan Bazar, prices were slightly lower at Tk 150 per dozen, down from Tk 175-180 per dozen just four days earlier.
However, the price of broiler chicken remains high, with rates ranging between Tk 190 and 200 per kilogram.
Vegetable prices climb sharply
Vegetable prices in the capital’s markets have been rising steadily. On Thursday, visits to various markets in Dhaka revealed that ripe tomatoes were being sold for Tk 260 to 280 per kilogram, depending on quality and location.
Not only tomatoes, but all types of vegetables are currently being sold at inflated prices. Winter vegetables, such as beans, are retailing for Tk 200 to 250 per kilogram.
Carrots and parsnips are approaching Tk 200 per kilogram, with parsnips being sold for Tk 150 to 170, and carrots between Tk 160 and 180. Bitter gourd is selling for Tk 80 to 100 per kilogram.
Other vegetables like pointed gourd, ridge gourd, taro stolon, spiny gourd, and eggplant are now priced at Tk 100 per kilogram.
There is no respite in the prices of cauliflower, cabbage, sweet pumpkin, or taro either. A small cauliflower or cabbage is being sold for Tk 70 to 80. Taro leaves are fetching Tk 80 to 90 per kilogram, while sweet pumpkin and ivy gourd are being sold for Tk 70 to 80 per kilogram.
Only green papaya, bananas cheapest
Currently, green papaya and green bananas are the cheapest items available in the market. Papaya is being sold for Tk 40-50 per kilogram, while a bunch of green bananas is priced at Tk 40-50.
Green chillies are retailing at Tk 280-300 per kilogram, while cucumbers, depending on quality, are being sold for Tk 80-100 per kilogram.
Cooking oil market unstable too
In the edible oil market, the price of soybean oil has increased by Tk 2.5-3 per litre, now selling at Tk 165-170 per litre, up from Tk 165-167 a week ago. Loose palm oil is being sold for Tk 145-146 per litre, compared to Tk 137-142 per litre the previous week.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the retail price of loose palm oil has risen by Tk 9-10 per litre, reaching Tk 140-144 per litre, while loose soybean oil has gone up by Tk 3 per litre, now selling for Tk 151-155.
Traders attribute the slight increase in prices to a reduced supply of edible oil, citing a 9 per cent drop in soybean and palm oil imports during the first three months (July-September) of the fiscal year 2024-25, according to the National Board of Revenue (NBR).
Meanwhile, the prices of other essential commodities, such as pulses, sugar, and flour, have remained stable so far.
