After rice, veggies and broiler, egg prices shoot up

Continuous heavy downpour across the country has severely impacted the kitchen markets in the capital. Water logging in various regions cause significant damage to vegetable fields. Moreover, goods-laden trucks have failed to reach the capital, which resulted in a severe supply shortage. 

Prices of rice, broiler chicken, eggs, and most vegetables have jumped by Tk 20 to Tk 40 per kg within a week. Low and middle-income people face immense misery due to this uncontrolled price hike. Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) also confirmed the price hike of rice, broiler, brinjal, and green chillies in its daily market report. 

The primary protein source for middle and low-income groups; eggs and broiler chicken remains volatile. The price of farm brown eggs rose by Tk 10 per dozen. It is now selling at Tk 135. White eggs are selling slightly cheaper, around Tk 120-125 per dozen. 

Broiler chicken is seeling at Tk 180-190 per kg, even hitting Tk 200 in some markets due to supply shortages. Sonali chicken is retailing at Tk 320 to Tk 350 per kg. Beef and mutton prices remained unchanged at Tk 750-800 and Tk 1,100-1,200 per kg respectively.

The vegetable market suffered the worst blow from the persistent rains. Green chilli prices saw the highest surge. It jumped to Tk 160-180 per kg from Tk 80-140 just a week ago. High quality green chillies are being sold for Tk 200. Brinjal is selling at Tk 90-120, bitter gourd at Tk 80-100, pointed gourd and okra at Tk 70-80, snake gourd at Tk 70-80, and cucumber at Tk 120-130 per kg. Gourds previously priced at Tk 60 are now Tk 80-90. However, papaya brought some relief at Tk 30-40 per kg. Local garlic rose by Tk 10 to retail at Tk 100-140 per kg, while onion prices dropped by Tk 5, selling at Tk 35-45.

Putting extra pressure on consumers, both fine and coarse rice prices increased over the week. The minimum price of fine rice like Nazirshail or Miniket rose from Tk 70 to Tk 72. It is currently selling at Tk 72-85 per kg. The floor price of coarse rice (Swarna or China IRI) rose from Tk 48 to Tk 50, retailing between Tk 50 and Tk 60. Medium quality Paijam or Lota rice remained stable at Tk 55-68 per kg.

In the fish market, prices of farmed climbing fish (Koi), Tilapia, Pangas, and medium-sized Rui remained somewhat stable. However, other varieties remained out of reach for ordinary buyers. Pangas is selling at Tk 200-220 and Tilapia at Tk 220-230 per kg. Pabda is retailing at Tk 300-350, medium Rui at Tk 300-350, and large Rui at Tk 400-450 per kg. Prawns are selling at Tk 600-900, Tengra and Baim at Tk 600-800, and Shool fish at Tk 700 per kg. The Hilsa market remains traditionally high. Hilsa weighing 800-900 grams is selling at Tk 2,000-2,200, while one-kg pieces cost Tk 2,300-2,400.

Consumers alleged that dishonest traders are manipulating prices by exploiting the supply disruption. Retailers, however, claim that prices will drop within a few days once the weather improves and vegetable trucks enter the capital normally.

-SA/SA