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Persistent rainfall over the past several days has driven up vegetable prices across Dhaka, with most varieties now selling for more than Tk 100 per kilogram, while green chilies have surged to Tk 280 per kg.
A visit to several capital markets on Friday found that only papaya remained relatively affordable at around Tk 40 per kg, while a few vegetables were selling for Tk 80 per kg. Most others were priced between Tk 100 and Tk 160 per kg.
Current retail prices include taro stems at Tk 100 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk 120, carrots at Tk 130, cucumbers between Tk 140 and Tk 160, bitter gourd at Tk 120, teasel gourd at Tk 140, long brinjal at Tk 120, round brinjal at Tk 160, tomatoes at Tk 160, and spiny gourd at Tk 120 per kg. Bottle gourds were selling for Tk 100 each, while sponge gourds were priced at Tk 80 each.
Green chilies recorded the sharpest increase, selling for Tk 280 per kg, with prices reaching Tk 300 in some markets.
Shoppers expressed frustration over the continued rise in food prices.
Haidar Ali, a government employee shopping at Malibagh Market, said vegetable prices had been rising for several days but had increased further on Friday.
“Almost no vegetable is available below Tk 100 per kilogram. I had to buy green chilies for Tk 280 per kg, and in some places they were asking Tk 300. How can ordinary people afford vegetables at these prices?” he said, calling for stronger market monitoring.
Another customer, Masud Rana, at Rampura Market, said vegetables that had sold for Tk 80–100 per kg just days earlier were now priced between Tk 100 and Tk 160.
“If vegetables cost this much, how can people afford fish, meat or chicken, which are even more expensive?” he said.
Traders attributed the price hike to heavy rainfall disrupting supplies.
Nazim Uddin, a vegetable vendor at Shantinagar Market, said wholesale supplies had fallen as rain damaged crops in several farming areas and disrupted transportation to Dhaka.
“Vegetable prices had been declining, but continuous rain has reduced supply and increased prices. If the rain continues, prices may rise further. They are likely to ease once the weather improves,” he said.