Livelihood hit hard as price gouging continues 

Consumers in the capital continue to face high prices of essential food items, with little relief in the markets for fish, meat, eggs, vegetables, edible oil and flour.

A visit to several markets in the capital on Friday found that although prices of some poultry varieties have declined slightly, the overall cost of daily shopping remains high. Fish prices are fluctuating, egg prices have increased, and bottled soybean oil remains in short supply at many grocery shops despite a recent price hike.

Farm eggs are currently selling for Tk 150-155 per dozen, up from Tk 140-145 a week ago. Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 180-200 per kg, while Sonali chicken costs Tk 310-320, hybrid chicken Tk 290-300 and layer chicken around Tk 350 per kg.

Traders said excessive heat, rain and power shortages have affected poultry production, with some farms reporting chicken deaths and lower production.

Fish prices have also remained high. Pangas is selling for Tk 230-250 per kg and tilapia for Tk 250-260. Ruhi and katla cost around Tk 400-500 per kg. Shrimp is being sold at Tk 800-1,300 depending on quality, while pabda costs Tk 350-450 per kg.

Other fish include vetki at Tk 400-550, mrigel Tk 250-300, farmed koi around Tk 300, shing Tk 300-450, indigenous koi Tk 700-800 and baim Tk 600-800 per kg.

Fish traders said prices fluctuate frequently, sometimes falling by Tk 20-30 per kg for a day before rising again the following day.

Mousumi Akhter, who bought fish worth around Tk 1,600 from Rayerbazar, said she purchased ruhi, shing and tengra for her monthly household shopping.

Low-income consumers are particularly affected as even comparatively cheaper fish such as pangas and tilapia are becoming expensive.

Abul Hossain, a day labourer, said, "We used to buy pangas and tilapia, but their prices are also high now. Prices are rising day by day, but there is no sign of them coming down."

Vegetable prices have also increased following several days of rain. On Friday, round brinjal was selling for Tk 140 per kg, long brinjal Tk 100, yardlong beans Tk 120, bitter gourd Tk 80, ridge gourd and snake gourd Tk 80, carrots Tk 140 and green chilli Tk 160.

Tomatoes were selling at around Tk 100 per kg, while papaya was comparatively cheaper at Tk 30. Early-season beans were priced at Tk 180-200 per kg.

Vegetable seller Tofazzal Hossain at Rampura market said rain had reduced supplies and pushed up wholesale prices.

"Supply has fallen somewhat because of the rain. Wholesale prices of almost all vegetables have increased. Prices may come down once the weather improves," he said.

The supply of bottled soybean oil has also remained inadequate. The government recently approved a Tk 5 increase in the price, after which companies raised the price from Tk 199 to Tk 204 per litre from September 2.

However, many retailers said they were not receiving adequate supplies.

Tamim, a grocery shopkeeper at No. 11 Kachabazar, said companies were not supplying oil according to orders.

"There is no soybean oil in my shop. Many customers are leaving without buying it because I cannot supply it," he said.

Another retailer said the profit margin was too low, with a litre costing around Tk 198 and being sold for only Tk 199.

Meanwhile, rising flour prices are adding to pressure on consumers. According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), loose flour now costs Tk 48-50 per kg, compared with a minimum of Tk 45 a month ago. Loose refined flour is selling for Tk 65-70, while packaged flour costs Tk 75-85 per kg.

The rise in flour and other production costs has also affected bakery products. The Bangladesh Bread, Biscuit and Confectionery Manufacturers Association has announced that prices of bakery products will increase by up to 20 per cent from Saturday. In some cases, manufacturers will keep prices unchanged but reduce product weights.

Association president Jalal Uddin said higher oil, gas and electricity costs had forced manufacturers to adjust prices.

Zahidur Rahman, a private-sector employee shopping at Malibagh market, said almost all vegetables were more expensive than the previous week.

"Last week prices were comparatively lower, but today I found them higher," he said.