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Rising egg prices are putting additional pressure on low-income consumers in Dhaka, as the cost of one of the country’s most affordable sources of protein has increased steadily over the past two weeks.
A visit to Basabo, Shantinagar and Malibagh kitchen markets on Friday found that the price of farm eggs has risen by Tk 10 per dozen in just one week. Eggs that sold for Tk 120-125 per dozen last week are now being sold at around Tk 135.
While beef and chicken prices have remained largely stable, consumers say the higher prices of eggs, fish and vegetables are making it increasingly difficult to manage household food expenses. Traders attributed the price hike mainly to reduced supplies caused by continuous rainfall.
Beef was selling at Tk 750-800 per kg, while mutton was priced between Tk 1,100 and Tk 1,200 per kg. Broiler chicken was available at Tk 180-190 per kg, and Sonali chicken at around Tk 330 per kg.
Fish prices also remained high, particularly for premium varieties. Shrimp was selling at Tk 600-900 per kg, pabda at Tk 300-350, large-sized rohu at Tk 400-450, tangra at Tk 600, and vetki at Tk 400-550 per kg. Pangas was priced at Tk 200-220, mrigal at Tk 250-300, climbing perch (koi) at Tk 400-500, and baim at Tk 600-800 per kg.
Hilsa, the country’s national fish, remained beyond the reach of many consumers. Hilsa weighing 800-900 grams was selling for Tk 2,000-2,200 per kg, while one-kilogram fish cost Tk 2,300-2,400 per kg.
However, prices of farmed fish such as pangas, tilapia, medium-sized rohu and farmed koi were relatively stable compared with premium species.
At Malibagh market, shopper Bikash Roy said his family now limits purchases to cheaper fish varieties.
“We only keep track of pangas and tilapia because we cannot afford the other fish. Even pangas costs more than Tk 200 per kg,” he said.
He added that broiler chicken was selling for around Tk 185 per kg, saying even that price has become difficult for many families to afford.
Fish trader Arif Yusuf said fish prices fluctuate throughout the day, sometimes changing by Tk 10-30 per kg, although there has been no major change in the overall market in recent months. He noted that shrimp, pomfret, shoal and large rohu have traditionally remained expensive because they are mainly purchased by higher-income consumers.
Egg trader Masum said the wholesale price increase had pushed up retail prices.
“The price of eggs has increased by Tk 10 per dozen. White eggs are selling at around Tk 125 per dozen, while brown eggs are priced at Tk 135,” he said.
The vegetable market also witnessed fresh price hikes, with many items becoming Tk 20-40 per kg more expensive over the past week.
Eggplant was selling at Tk 90-120 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk 80-100, pointed gourd and okra at Tk 70-80, ridge gourd at Tk 80-90, snake gourd at Tk 70-80, cucumber at Tk 120-130, and radish at Tk 40-50 per kg.
Bottle gourd, which sold for around Tk 60 last week, was priced at Tk 80-90 each on Friday.
Green chilli recorded the sharpest increase, rising from Tk 80-140 per kg a week ago to Tk 160-180 per kg. Papaya remained one of the few vegetables with relatively stable prices, selling at Tk 30-40 per kg.
Vegetable trader Md Masud Molla of Basabo market blamed the recent rainfall for the supply shortage.
“Continuous rain has reduced vegetable supplies to Dhaka, and crops have also been damaged in many parts of the country. That is why vegetable and green chilli prices have increased,” he said.
He expressed hope that prices would ease if weather conditions improve over the coming days.