Downpour drives up veg, fish, egg prices

Days of relentless rain have started taking a toll on kitchen markets across Dhaka, sending prices of vegetables, fish, eggs and poultry higher as supply disruptions squeeze the market. Consumers also alleged that some traders were exploiting the situation by charging above-normal prices.

A visit to kitchen markets in Mirpur, Rampura and Shantinagar on Saturday found fewer shoppers because of the rain, but retail prices continued to climb. Rice prices, however, remained largely stable.

Egg prices posted one of the sharpest increases over the past week, rising by Tk20-25 per dozen. White eggs were selling at Tk120 per dozen, brown eggs at Tk130, while some markets charged as much as Tk140. Just a week ago, the same eggs were available at Tk105-110 per dozen, said Abdul Majid, a buyer in Mirpur's Kafrul area.

Egg trader Md Rubel of East Shewrapara blamed higher wholesale prices for the retail hike.
Poultry prices also edged up, with broiler chicken selling at Tk190-200 per kg, Sonali at Tk350-420, layer chicken at Tk320-340 and indigenous (deshi) chicken at Tk620-650 per kg.

Beef remained steady at Tk780-800 per kg, while mutton was selling for Tk1,100-1,200 per kg.
Fish prices also stayed on the higher side. According to shoppers, large rui was selling at Tk400-550 per kg, medium rui at Tk300-450, katla at Tk340-480, tilapia at Tk220-250, pangas at Tk200-350, pabda at Tk300-450, tangra at Tk600-800, shing at Tk300-500, farmed koi at Tk200-500 and shrimp at Tk600-1,200 per kg, depending on size and quality.

Hilsa remained the costliest item, with 800-900 gram fish selling at Tk2,000-2,200 per kg and one-kilogram hilsa fetching Tk2,300-2,400 per kg. Traders said hilsa prices have surged as demand continues to outstrip supply.

Vegetable prices have also climbed by Tk20-30 per kg in many cases despite adequate supplies of leafy greens. Red amaranth (lal shak) was selling at Tk10-15 per bunch and Malabar spinach (pui shak) at Tk15-20.

Among other vegetables, potatoes sold at Tk25 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk50 each, brinjal Tk70-80 per kg, pointed gourd Tk50-60, bitter gourd Tk60-80, ridge gourd Tk60-70, kankrol Tk70-80, okra Tk50-60, snake gourd Tk50-60, kochur loti Tk70-90, yardlong beans Tk60-80, cucumber Tk60-90 and green chilli Tk80-160 per kg, depending on quality.

Green bananas were selling at Tk20 per hali (four pieces), papaya at Tk50 per kg and ash gourd at Tk20 each.