Md Abdullah Al Masum
The prices of vegetables went up on Thursday, the second day of “strict lockdown” imposed in Bangladesh.
Traders said supply chain of commodities was disrupted due to lockdown, pushing the prices up.
A quick visit at Mohakhali, Gulshan and Karwan Bazar kitchen markets showed prices of brinjal, tomato, cucumber and long bean went 5 to 10 per cent up compared to Tuesday, the first day of lockdown.
In Mohakhali kitchen market on Thursday brinjal was being sold at Tk 80 per kg, Tk 20 up from Tuesday, tomato at Tk 40, up from Tuesday’s Tk 30, cucumber at Tk 60 per kg.TK 20 up from Tuesday’s Tk 40 and long bean at Tk 60 per kg, Tk 5 up from Tuesday’s Tk 55.
The prices of potato, onion, edible oil, green chili, raw papaya, lemon, radish, shrimp, sugar, lentil and date, however, remained stable.
“We had to buy some vegetables from wholesalers at higher price. They are showing an excuse of lockdown,” said Sumon, a retailer in Mohakhali kitchen market.
A customer said he was planning to buy one kg tomato and cucumber each but due to higher price he decided to buy half kilograms.
Retailers said tomato and cucumber were of high demand due to the start of Ramadan as they are consumed as ifter items.
“Cucumber became really expensive than two days ago. I bought on kg cucumber at Tk 40, but they are asking Tk 60,” said Rakib, a customer.
