No balance in market: Consumers struggle with rising prices

Vegetable prices remained high in the markets last week due to continuous rainfall. Although rainfall has decreased this week, vegetable prices have not fallen significantly. 

Prices of other essential commodities have also remained largely unchanged, it was found while visiting to Mistripara Bazar, New Market Bazar and Natun Bazar in Khulna city on Sunday (August 16).

Papayas were selling for Tk 40-50 per kg, round eggplants for Tk 60-70, bitter gourd for Tk 80-100, ash gourd for Tk 50-60 each, bottle gourd for Tk 50-60 each depending on size, sweet pumpkin for Tk 50-60 per kg, pointed gourd for Tk 60, taro stems for Tk 40-50 and sponge gourd for Tk 50-60. Green chilli, which was Tk 300 per kg last week, is now selling for Tk 200. Onions were selling for Tk 50-60 per kg, large garlic for Tk 100-120 and potatoes for Tk 25-30 per kg.
Broiler chicken was selling for Tk 180-190 per kg, Sonali chicken for Tk 240 and layer chicken for Tk 230-240. Meanwhile, beef was selling for Tk 750 per kg and mutton for Tk 1,150 per kg.

In the fish market, rohu was selling for Tk 220-250 per kg depending on size, seabass for Tk 500-600, Chandana hilsa for Tk 270-300, pabda for Tk 350-400 and shrimp for Tk 500-800. Tilapia was selling for Tk 130-160, pabda at Tk 300-350, pangas at Tk 160-180, catla at Tk 240-250 and small fish at Tk 300-400 per kg.

Traders said vegetable prices had risen due to reduced supplies caused by rain. However, vegetables have now started arriving in the markets. They said prices would fall further once local supplies increase. The price of green chilli has already fallen by around Tk 100 per kg.
 
A vegetable trader at Natun Bazar, said vegetable prices had increased due to lower supplies of locally produced vegetables in Khulna's markets. The price of green chilli had fallen considerably as supplies increased. 

However, papaya, pumpkin and bitter gourd remained relatively expensive due to shortages.

A fish seller said fish prices were unlikely to fall further. The price of fish feed has increased significantly. Transportation costs have also gone up. Overall, the fish market is now stable. Retailers do not make much profit, while the number of customers has also decreased.