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The relentless rise in prices of essential commodities is putting mounting pressure on ordinary consumers, with fish, meat, eggs and vegetables becoming increasingly expensive.
At retail markets in the capital, a dozen farm eggs are selling for Tk 150, while broiler chicken costs Tk 190 per kilogram. Prices of beef and mutton have reached Tk 800–850 and Tk 1,300 per kilogram respectively.
Fish prices are also high, with pangas selling for Tk 230 and tilapia for Tk 260 per kilogram. Depending on quality and size, shrimp costs Tk 800–900, pabda Tk 350–400, rui Tk 300–500 and tengra Tk 700 per kilogram.
Vegetable prices remain a major concern for consumers. Green chillies are selling for Tk 140–150 per kilogram, brinjal Tk 100–120, carrots Tk 120, okra Tk 50 and bitter gourd Tk 80–100. Ridge gourd costs Tk 80–85, pointed gourd Tk 60 and taro Tk 70 per kilogram.
The prices were recorded during visits to several retail markets in the capital on Friday.
Consumers say they are now being forced to buy smaller quantities despite spending more money.
Many families with limited incomes are struggling to balance household budgets as food prices continue to rise.
Md Hakim, who was buying eggs at Kawran Bazar, said there appeared to be inadequate monitoring of the market.
“Prices are rising, but there seems to be little effective oversight. Consumers are being forced to pay more even when their incomes remain unchanged,” he said.
Egg seller Aminul Islam, however, said retailers were also paying higher prices to wholesalers.
“We are not increasing the price ourselves. We are buying eggs at higher prices from the wholesale market and have to sell them accordingly. We make only Tk 4–6 per dozen after covering our costs,” he said.
According to the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association, egg prices largely depend on supply and demand. Recent flooding has affected poultry farmers in several parts of the country, while power shortages have reportedly caused losses at some farms, putting additional pressure on supply.
Consumers are also feeling the pinch from rising fish and meat prices.
Rakib Hasan, a private-sector employee who was shopping at Naya Bazar, said the cost of basic food items had become increasingly difficult to manage.
“Prices of vegetables alone are shocking. Many items cost Tk 80 to Tk 100 or more per kilogram. Fish and meat are also expensive. The money that used to be enough for a full bag of groceries now buys only a few items,” he said.
With household incomes failing to keep pace with rising food prices, limited-income families are increasingly struggling to maintain even their regular food purchases.
