The prices of vegetables in retail markets are either higher or double than the wholesale prices, mounting the woes of the people of limited income.
Quick visits to Karwan Bazar, Mahakhali, Farmgate markets on Thursday saw some of the wholesalers and retailers sharing their position with The Business Post over the exorbitant prices.
Dhaka city dwellers are paying higher prices for vegetables from retailers, whereas retailers are buying those vegetables at lower or reasonable prices from wholesalers but they are selling those at high prices in a different market of the capital.
Most of the wholesalers of the country’s leading kitchen market at Karwan Bazar collect vegetables from different districts including Jashore, Dinajpur, Patuakhali, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Pabna etc.
The prices of vegetable are high in different retail markets in Dhaka city than the wholesale market.
Ramat Ullah, a wholesaler in Karwan Bazar, was selling potato at Tk 18 per kg, green papaya at Tk 26, tomato at Tk 25, cucumber at Tk 25 and brinjal at Tk 25 per kg to the retail trader.
Rahmat, who has been running this business for a long time, buys these vegetables at low prices directly from the farmers and sells those to retailers at reasonable prices.
“Every morning vegetable land in Karwan Bazar and I purchase as per my demand. Sometimes growers themselves come with truck-load vegetables as well,” added Ramat Ullah.
Shuruj Mia, a retailer, collects the vegetables from Karwan Bazar at a low price but he sells them in the Farmgate area at high or double prices.
He was selling green papaya at Tk 40 per kg, up by Tk 14 in the wholesale market, tomato at Tk 40 per kg up by Tk 15, cucumber at Tk 45 per kg, up by Tk 20 and brinjal at Tk 50 per kg up by Tk 25.
He has to pay a toll for the business place that’s why, he charges the higher prices, added Shuruj Mia.
Afjal Hossain, another wholesaler in Karwan Bazar, said, “I am selling Palwal at Tk 20 per kg, bean at Tk 25per kg, bitter gourd at Tk 24 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk 20/piece, okra at Tk 15 per kg, ridge gourd at Tk 30 per kg, snake gourd at Tk 32 per kg etc.
“I supply the vegetables to different retailers in Dhaka city on my delivery van so that my goods are sold out quickly. In this way, I will make a minimum profit but the sale bulk becomes bigger and it makes me happy,” added Afjal Hossain.
Aminul Islam, a retailer at Mohakhali Kitchen Market, said his business is doing well and he has been doing this business for 5 years.
He was found selling Palwal at Tk 40 per kg, up by Tk 20, bean at Tk 40 per kg up by Tk15, bitter gourd at Tk 50 per kg, up by Tk 25, bottle gourd at Tk 35 per piece up by Tk 20, ladies’ fingers at Tk 40 per kg up from Tk 15.
Ridge gourd was found to have sold at Tk 50 per kg up from Tk 20 and snake gourd at Tk 50 per kg up from Tk 18 up.
“I have to sell the products with high prices as my fellow traders do. If I don’t keep pace with them, I will not be able to do business in this place,’’ added Aminul Islam.
Mohammed Bulbul, a customer at Mohakhali Kitchen Market, said, retailers sold vegetables at high prices and this is really sad in the month of Ramadan.
‘’I am a private service holder and my income is limited. If most of the vegetables turn pricey, how will I manage my family and other expenses,” said Mohammed Bulbul.
