Floods drive up food costs 

City consumers are facing a fresh squeeze on their household budgets as downpour and flash floods across more than 18 districts disrupted supplies of fish and vegetables, pushing up prices in the capital’s wholesale and retail markets.

Wholesale traders in Taltola and Khilgaon kitchen markets said prices of almost all staple fish species had risen in recent days as flooding damaged productions and reduced market supplies. The increase comes as households are already grappling with elevated food inflation.

A 2�"2.5kg farmed ruhu, a staple fish for many Bangladeshi families, was selling at Tk400�"450 per kg on Friday, up from Tk350�"380 per kg just days earlier. 

Retailers said the sharp rise reflected falling supplies after continuous rainwater inundated fish farms and ponds in several parts of the country.

Sellers warned that prices could remain elevated if supply chains take longer to recover, adding further pressure on consumers already adjusting spending amid rising food costs.

Not only ruhu, but also the prices of tilapia, pangas and several other varieties have risen by Tk20�"100 per kilogram (kg) within a week because of supply shortages.

Wholesale fish trader Altaf Hossain at Khilgaon market said fish arrivals at wholesale markets had declined significantly due to the heavy rainfall. 

"Supplies at the source markets have fallen because of flooding. When wholesalers have to buy fish at higher prices, retail prices naturally increase," he added.

Yet, consumers believe traders are using the rain and flood situation as an excuse to charge higher prices.

Anisur Rahman, a private-sector employee shopping at Taltola market, said rising food prices are making life increasingly difficult for middle- and lower-income families.

"Everything is already expensive. Now fish prices have also gone up in the name of rain. It is becoming harder for ordinary people to manage," he added.

Market observations showed that medium and large-sized fish recorded the sharpest price increases. Farmed ruhi and carp, which sold for around Tk350 per kg last week, are now selling for Tk350-400 per kg.

Tilapia, a popular low-cost protein source, is now selling for Tk240-260 per kg, while pangas costs Tk220-250 per kg, both up by Tk20-30 per kg from a week earlier.

Farmed shrimp prices have climbed by around Tk100 per kg to Tk900-1,200, while butter fish is selling at Tk400-450 per kg.

Hilsa prices have also remained higher due to limited supply, selling at Tk1,600-1,800 per kg.

Vegetable prices have also risen sharply as floodwaters disrupted harvesting and transportation in several producing regions.

Brinjal, selling at Tk70-80 per kg last week, is now selling at Tk100-120 depending on quality. Prices of ridge gourd, snake gourd and sponge gourd have increased from Tk50-60 to Tk70-80 per kg.

Bitter gourd prices have climbed from Tk60-70 to Tk90-100 per kg, while long beans are selling at Tk100 per kg against Tk70-80 previously.

Green chilli recorded one of the steepest increases, jumping from Tk120 to Tk200 per kg. A bundle of Malabar spinach now costs Tk50, compared with Tk30-35 previously.

Among relatively cheaper vegetables, papaya, okra and pointed gourd are available at Tk50-60 per kg.

The upward trend has also spread to eggs and poultry.

Farm eggs, which had remained stable at Tk125-130 per dozen, are now selling for around Tk140. Traders said demand for eggs rises whenever vegetable prices increase, as many consumers shift to eggs as an affordable alternative.

Broiler chicken prices have remained elevated over the past two weeks, selling at Tk180-200 per kg compared with Tk160-170 previously. Sonali chicken is currently selling at Tk350-380 per kg.

Traders said prices are likely to remain higher unless weather conditions improve and supplies return to normal.