Veg prices soar, add financial pressure on consumers

Prices of essential vegetables have risen again in Dhaka’s kitchen markets, adding to the financial pressure on consumers already struggling with high prices of fish and meat.

With most vegetables now selling at around Tk 100 per kilogram or even higher, low-and middle-income families that had been relying more on vegetables as a relatively affordable source of nutrition are also finding it increasingly difficult to manage their food expenses.

A visit to several kitchen markets in the capital on Wednesday found prices of almost all common vegetables higher than before. Many consumers were seen buying half a kilogram or even smaller quantities instead of a full kilogram to keep their spending within budget.

Traders attributed the price hike to prolonged monsoon rains and damage to farmland in different parts of the country, which they said had reduced vegetable production and supplies. As prices increased in wholesale markets, the impact was subsequently felt in retail markets.

Consumers, however, said there was no visible shortage of vegetables in the markets despite the price hike. They alleged that inadequate market monitoring and a lack of effective measures to control prices were allowing traders to raise prices by citing various reasons.

Among the vegetables, beans are currently selling at the highest price in the capital, at Tk 180-220 per kg. Tomatoes are selling at Tk 130-150 per kg, while carrots cost Tk 110-130 per kg.

Eggplants and yardlong beans are selling at Tk 80-100 per kg. Bitter gourd costs Tk 80-120, taro stems Tk 80-100, while ridge gourd and spiny gourd are also selling at around Tk 80-100 per kg. Cucumbers are priced at Tk 60-100 per kg.