Unease prevails in the veg market in Meherpur

Due to continuous rain and adverse weather condition, prices of almost all types of vegetables have increased in Meherpur, despite being known as the vegetable district. 

On Sunday, various markets of the district, including Meherpur market, showed that the process of most vegetables have increased by 25-30 taka per kg in the last few days. 

According to traders, supply has decreased as the field crops have been damaged by heavy downpour. 

A visit to the Meherpur bazar, showed that the prices of almost every vegetable have increased by 25-30 taka per kg in the span of a few days. This has put ordinary buyers in extreme distress. Due to the increased prices, many people are not able to buy the necessary vegetables in the market and are making short-term purchases. Some are returning home empty-handed or with half a bag.

On the ground, it is seen that the continuous rains have had the greatest impact on the green chilli and brinjal markets. In just a few days, the price of green chillies has crossed the century mark and is now being sold at Tk 200-220 per kg. On the other hand, the price of common brinjal has also increased to Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg.

In addition, carrots are being sold at Tk 120, tomatoes at Tk 160, cucumbers at Tk 80, yams at Tk 70, kankrol at Tk 70 and dals at Tk 60 per kg. 

Mamlat Hossain, a shopper who came to shop at the bazar said, “After the continuous rains, the prices of almost all vegetables have increased. It has become difficult for people with a fixed income to do their household shopping. Ordinary buyers like me are struggling.”

Buyer Ramjanul Karim said, “After the continuous rains, the price of each vegetable in the market has increased by 25-30 taka per kg. In a district where so many vegetables are produced, the sudden increase in prices has made it difficult for people with fixed incomes like us to do business.”

Sajedur Rahman, a trader at ‘Miarul Sabzi Bhandar’ said, “The vegetables in the fields have been damaged due to the excessive rain. Due to low supply, prices are high in the wholesale market, which has also affected the retail market. The vegetables in the ground have been spoiled due to the excessive rain. As a result, vegetables are not growing according to local demand. There is no chance of reducing prices in the wholesale market until supply normalizes.”

In this regard, CAB Meherpur district President Rafiqul Alam said that due to floods in many districts of the country, the supply of goods in the local market has decreased due to the flood-affected districts. However, after talking to farmers and traders, it has been learned that the current prices will decrease if the floods and heavy rainfall stop.

-MRA/SA