Egg, vegetable prices add to household woes

The prices of eggs and most vegetables have increased in Dhaka markets, putting additional pressure on low- and middle-income households, although consumers have received some relief from a sharp fall in the price of green chilli.
For a five-member family in Rampura, resident Matin Akand tries to keep eggs on the family’s daily food menu to meet their nutritional needs. But rising egg prices have forced him to reduce his purchases.
“I used to buy eggs regularly according to our family’s needs. But now that prices have gone up, I am buying fewer eggs than before,” he said.
Matin is not alone. Many consumers, particularly those from low-income households, said they were cutting back on essential food purchases because of higher prices.
The situation was observed at several kitchen markets in the capital, including Mouchak, Malibagh, Rampura and Karwan Bazar, on Friday.
According to traders, a dozen eggs were selling for Tk130-140 about two weeks ago. The price has now risen to around Tk150 a dozen, meaning consumers are paying Tk10-20 more within a relatively short period.
The price hike has caused additional hardship for low-income consumers, who are already struggling to manage their daily household expenses.
However, retailers have blamed wholesalers for the increase.
Sajal Mallick, an egg seller at Rampura market, said retailers make only Tk2-6 profit per dozen.
“The wholesale price has increased. Many chickens are reportedly dying due to floods and power shortages, which is affecting supply and pushing up prices,” he said.
Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA) Secretary General M Safir Rahman also attributed the price increase largely to supply constraints.
“The price of eggs depends mainly on market demand and supply. Many poultry farmers have suffered significant losses due to the floods. This has created a supply shortage, which has affected the market price,” he said.
Meanwhile, consumers have received some relief from the green chilli market.
The price of green chilli has fallen sharply over the past week. It is now selling at Tk140-150 per kilogram, compared with Tk360-380 a kilogram a week ago.
That means the price has dropped by Tk210-240 per kilogram within just one week.
However, prices of most other vegetables remain high, with many selling for more than Tk80 per kilogram.
On Friday, brinjal was selling for Tk100-120 per kg, carrot Tk120, okra Tk50, bitter gourd Tk80-100, ridge gourd Tk80, bottle gourd Tk80, pointed gourd Tk60, ash gourd Tk50, sweet pumpkin Tk50, arum Tk70 and spiny gourd Tk80.
Consumers said vegetable prices remain too high for many families to purchase according to their needs.
“Even though the price of green chilli has fallen, most other vegetables are still expensive. We have to reduce the quantity we buy or avoid some items altogether,” said a consumer at Rampura market.
Prices of several major staples remained unchanged. On Friday, onion was selling for Tk60 per kg, potato Tk30, garlic Tk150 and ginger Tk180. The chicken market also remained largely unchanged.
Broiler chicken was selling for Tk190 per kg, Sonali chicken Tk320-330, hybrid chicken Tk290-300 and layer chicken Tk340.
Beef was selling for Tk850 per kg, while mutton was Tk1,300 per kg.
Coarse rice was selling for Tk52-55 per kg, BR-28 rice Tk60, Miniket Tk78 and Kataribhog/Nazirshail rice Tk85 per kg.
Although the sharp fall in green chilli prices has provided some relief, the overall food market remains a concern for ordinary consumers. The rising price of eggs, an important and relatively affordable source of protein, along with high vegetable prices is putting further pressure on household budgets.