Vegetable prices up, eggs offer some relief

Vegetable prices have risen in Dhaka markets amid supply shortages, while egg prices have fallen, offering limited relief to consumers. Fish, chicken and beef prices remain largely high.

A visit to Shantinagar and Basabo markets found egg prices down Tk 10 a dozen from last week. White eggs were selling at Tk 140 a dozen and brown eggs at Tk 145-150, compared with Tk 150-155 last week. Larger eggs remained at around Tk 160 a dozen.

Fish prices were mostly stable, although some varieties rose by Tk 20-30 per kg and others fell by Tk 10-20. Pangas was selling at Tk 230-250 per kg and tilapia at Tk 260. Rohu cost Tk 270-500 depending on size, while shrimp was Tk 800-900 and tengra around Tk 700.

Hilsa remained expensive. A 1kg fish was selling for Tk 2,600-3,200, while 700-800 gram fish cost Tk 1,800-2,400. Traders attributed the higher prices partly to increased demand ahead of Durga Puja and the approaching fishing ban in October.

Beef was selling at Tk 800 per kg and broiler chicken at Tk 190. Sonali chicken cost Tk 310-320, hybrid Tk 290-300 and layer Tk 350 per kg.

Vegetable prices, meanwhile, continued to climb. Eggplant was selling at Tk 100-160 per kg, tomatoes Tk 100-120, bitter gourd Tk 80-100 and yardlong beans Tk 80-100. Pointed gourd, okra and snake gourd were Tk 60-70 per kg, while ridge gourd and teasel gourd cost Tk 70-80.

Onions rose to Tk 50-55 per kg, while potatoes remained at around Tk 30.

Traders blamed heavy rainfall across the country over the past two weeks for disrupting supplies and pushing up wholesale prices.

Consumers said the continued rise in food prices was squeezing household budgets, particularly for lower- and fixed-income families.