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Persistent rainfall across the country has disrupted the supply of vegetables to Dhaka, driving up prices of several essentials, including vegetables, broiler chicken and rice.
A visit to Karwan Bazar, Agargaon and New Market on Friday found that vegetable prices had increased by Tk20-40 per kg over the past week, with green chilli recording the sharpest hike. Traders attributed the increase to delayed transport, waterlogged vegetable fields and reduced supply, while consumers alleged that some traders were taking advantage of the situation.
According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), prices of rice, broiler chicken, brinjal and green chilli also increased during the week.
Brinjal was selling at Tk90-120 per kg, bitter gourd Tk80-100, pointed gourd and okra Tk70-80, ridge gourd Tk80-90, snake gourd Tk70-80, cucumber Tk120-130, and radish Tk40-50 per kg. Bottle gourd rose to Tk80-90 apiece from Tk60 a week earlier, while green chilli surged to Tk160-180 per kg from Tk80-140. Papaya remained comparatively cheaper at Tk30-40 per kg.
Local garlic prices edged up to Tk100-140 per kg, while onion prices fell by Tk5 to Tk35-45 per kg.
Rice prices also increased, with Nazir/Miniket selling at Tk72-85 per kg, up from a minimum of Tk70, while Swarna/China IRRI rice rose to Tk50-60 per kg from Tk48. Prices of medium-grade Pajam/Lota rice remained unchanged at Tk55-68 per kg.
Broiler chicken prices increased by Tk10 per kg to Tk180-200, while Sonali chicken was selling at Tk320-350 per kg. Traders blamed reduced farm supply due to the adverse weather.
Meanwhile, the price of farm eggs declined by Tk5 per four, with brown eggs selling at Tk40-45 per four.