Dhaka’s retail markets remained broadly stable on Friday, a day after Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury presented the proposed national budget for fiscal year 2026-27, with prices of vegetables, poultry, eggs, and essential spices showing little to no change from previous days.
Visits to several key markets in Dhaka, including Shantinagar, Malibagh, and Fakirapool on Friday morning, revealed a calm trading environment with no signs of sudden price hikes. The scene was in notable contrast to the volatility that has typically followed budget announcements in previous years.
Most vegetables were selling within the Tk 50 to 80 per kilogramme range. Bitter gourd was priced at Tk 60, round brinjal at Tk 80, ridge gourd at Tk 60, and green chillies at Tk 120 per kg. Tomatoes and cucumbers were selling at Tk 100 to 120 per kg, while potatoes remained among the most affordable items at Tk 20 to 30 per kg.
In the poultry segment, broiler chicken was available at Tk 160 to 180 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk 340 to 360 per kg. Farm eggs were selling at Tk 130 to 140 per dozen, broadly in line with rates from the previous week. In the spice market, onions were selling at Tk 40 to 45 per kg, domestic garlic at Tk 80 to 100, imported garlic at Tk 120 to 140, and ginger at Tk 140 to 180 per kg.
Market traders credited the overall stability to the structure of the proposed fiscal plan. The proposed budget, which is the largest in the country's history, includes no measures likely to push up the cost of essential goods. On the contrary, the budget proposes reducing the source tax on at least 60 daily necessities-including rice, pulses, wheat, onion, garlic, ginger, edible oil, sugar, and salt-to 0.5 percent from a previous rate of 2 to 5 percent.
"The positive thing is that no prices have risen after the budget. Once wholesale prices readjusted in line with the proposed budget, we will be able to sell at lower prices too," said a grocery trader at Shantinagar. He added that traders found no justification this time to hike the prices of goods.
Customers welcomed the relative calm of the market. "In other years, prices of many goods would rise the very next day after the budget. At least that fear is absent this time," said Atiqul Gani, a private-sector employee shopping at Fakirapool market.
Consumers urged the authorities to strengthen market monitoring so that the relief reaches the general public without undue delay.
