Market prices: Fish, chicken up, rice remains costly

Prices of chicken have increased slightly in the capital’s kitchen markets, while vegetables and most other daily essentials remain stable.

However, consumers continue to struggle with persistently high rice prices and expensive fish.

The market situation emerged after visits to the Basabo and Shantinagar kitchen markets on Friday and discussions with buyers and traders.

Traders said the prices of broiler and Sonali chickens have increased by Tk10 to Tk30 per kg over the past week.

Broiler chicken is now selling for Tk170-190 per kg, up from Tk160-170 last week.

Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk320-340 per kg.

Vendors attributed the price hike to lower wholesale supply.

Ruhul Amin, a poultry trader at Basabo market, said wholesale prices have increased due to supply shortages.

“The extreme heat has caused significant poultry losses at many farms, reducing overall supply. If wholesale prices fall, retail prices will also come down,” he said.

Consumers are also finding little relief in the fish market, where prices remain high.
However, the prices of eggs and beef have remained largely unchanged. Beef is selling at around Tk800 per kg, while eggs are being sold at previous prices.

A market survey found that ruhi is selling at Tk300-400 per kg depending on size, katla at Tk230-500, bhetki at Tk400-550, pabda at Tk350-400, tengra at Tk500-700, and taki at Tk250-350.

Among other varieties, tilapia is selling for Tk120-160 per kg, pangas for Tk200-220, mrigel for Tk250-300, baim for Tk600-800, koi for Tk400-500, shing for Tk400, poa for Tk260, and shol for Tk700 per kg.

Shrimp prices have also increased compared to previous weeks. Depending on the variety and size, shrimp is selling for Tk550-900 per kg, while larger-sized shrimp are priced between Tk800 and Tk1,200 per kg.

Although rice prices have not increased further in recent days, consumers are still paying the higher rates that took effect two to three weeks ago, when the prices of Miniket, Nazirshail and BR-28 rice rose by Tk2-4 per kg.

Miniket rice is currently selling for Tk68-72 per kg, while Nazirshail is priced at Tk75-85 per kg, depending on quality. BR-28, or medium-grade rice, is being sold for Tk58-62 per kg.

Retail rice traders said supply from rice mills remains normal, but there are no signs of price reductions, leaving retail prices unchanged.

Despite higher prices for chicken and rice, the vegetable market continues to offer some relief. Adequate supplies of both summer and winter vegetables have kept prices within consumers’ purchasing power, with most vegetables selling for Tk40-60 per kg.

Rubel Hossain, a salaried employee shopping at Shantinagar market, said the lower vegetable prices were encouraging, but expressed concern over rice and poultry costs.

“Vegetable prices are now somewhat affordable, which is a positive sign. But once rice prices go up, they rarely come down. Now chicken prices have also started rising again,” he said, adding that regular market monitoring is essential to protect ordinary consumers.