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Prices of most vegetables have declined in Dhaka markets over the past week as supplies of early winter produce have started increasing. However, prices of some vegetables remain unchanged, while fish and meat prices have largely remained stable. Egg prices have fallen, but hilsa and local river fish remain expensive.
The picture emerged during visits to several kitchen markets in the capital on Friday.
At Basabo kitchen market, increased supplies of early winter vegetables have brought some relief to consumers.
Green beans, which were selling for Tk 150 per kg earlier, are now available for Tk 60-80, depending on the market. Cauliflowers are selling for Tk 40-50 each and cabbages for Tk 50-60. Radishes cost Tk 40-60 per kg, while ridge gourd, sponge gourd and taro are selling for around Tk 60 per kg.
Eggplant prices range from Tk 40 to Tk 70 per kg, depending on variety and size, although round eggplants are selling for Tk 120.
Tomatoes and green chillies are priced at Tk 120 per kg, while carrots cost Tk 140. Local cucumbers are selling for Tk 80 per kg and hybrid varieties for Tk 60.
Okra and taro stems are available for Tk 50-60 per kg, while yardlong beans, bitter gourd and spiny gourd cost Tk 60-80. Bottle gourds are selling for Tk 40-50 each, papayas for Tk 30 per kg, pumpkins for Tk 30-40 and potatoes for Tk 25-30.
Vegetable trader Abdur Rahim said supplies of winter vegetables had increased significantly, leading to lower prices for several items.
“Prices may fall further in the coming days if supplies increase further,” he said.
Another trader, Ismail Hossain, said all varieties of winter vegetables had yet to arrive in the markets in sufficient quantities. He expected prices to decline further as supplies improved.
While vegetable prices have brought some relief, the fish market has remained largely unchanged compared with the previous week.
Rohu is selling for Tk 280-380 per kg, depending on size, while large tilapia and silver carp and grass carp are priced at Tk 180-200. Pangas is selling for Tk 160-250 per kg.
Katla costs Tk 350-380 per kg, farmed koi Tk 200-220 and pabda Tk 380-420.
Hilsa, however, remains expensive, with prices ranging from Tk 800 to Tk 2,300 per kg depending on size and quality. Large hilsa is selling for as much as Tk 2,600 per kg in some markets.
Meat prices have also remained largely stable. Broiler chicken is selling for Tk 170-190 per kg, while Sonali chicken costs Tk 240-330. Beef is priced at Tk 800-850 per kg and mutton at Tk 1,200-1,250.
Farm eggs are selling for Tk 120-130 per dozen in different markets.
Egg trader Palash said prices had fallen by Tk 20-30 per dozen over the past one and a half months. Lower vegetable prices had eased some pressure on household food budgets, affecting egg demand and prices, he said.
However, boiled eggs at roadside stalls are still selling at relatively high prices of Tk 20-25 each.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh’s (TCB) retail market price report released on November 5, prices of local onions, green chillies, eggplants, farm eggs, chickpeas, aromatic polao rice and imported ginger declined over the week.
In contrast, packaged flour, loose palm oil and sugar prices edged up, while most other essential commodities remained at their previous week’s levels.
