Prices of fish, vegetables increase in Meherpur

MEHERPUR, Sept 13: Prices of fish and vegetables have increased in markets across the district, including the town’s Borobazar, causing dissatisfaction among low- and middle-income buyers.

During a visit to several markets on Friday, including the Borobazar retail market, onions were selling for Tk 50 per kg, garlic for Tk 100, potatoes for Tk 25, carrots for Tk 135-140, ginger for Tk 170-180, tomatoes for Tk 115-120 and green chillies for Tk 60-65.

Cucumbers were selling for Tk 55-60 per kg, gourds for Tk 45-50, onions for Tk 45-50, arum for Tk 50, pumpkins for Tk 50, red leafy vegetables for Tk 40 and bitter gourds for Tk 35-40.

There was a significant gap between wholesale and retail prices for some products. In the wholesale market, beans were selling for Tk 75-80 per kg, tomatoes for Tk 100-105, carrots for Tk 115-120 and ginger for Tk 150-155.

Buyers and sellers said prices of beans, tomatoes, garlic, carrots, and ginger were comparatively low. However, pressure on traders, rain and reduced supply have pushed up prices of some vegetables.

Vegetable buyer Anarul Islam said some vegetable prices had fallen slightly from the previous week but remained difficult for low-income consumers. He said green chilli prices appeared normal.

Trader Jabbar Hossain said some commodity prices had declined slightly but that rain had damaged crops and contributed to higher prices for beans, potatoes and pumpkins. He said prices of green chillies and some other vegetables remained within normal limits.

Retail vegetable seller Kalam said prices had increased compared with the previous time. He said beans that previously sold for Tk 50-60 now cost up to Tk 100 per kg, while potatoes sell for Tk 50-60.

Businessman Kausar said rain had reduced supplies of many products, pushing up prices. Fewer buyers were also visiting the markets, reducing retail sales and creating difficulties for farmers, many of whom arrive with only small quantities of produce.

Fish prices have also caused dissatisfaction among consumers. Tilapia and pangas were selling for Tk 200 per kg, katla for Tk 300, bata for Tk 190-200, koi for Tk 210-220 and jiol fish for Tk 300-350. Medium-sized hilsa sold for about Tk 700 per kg, shrimp for Tk 800 and grass carp for Tk 280-300.

In the wholesale market, tilapia was selling for Tk 180 per kg, pangas for Tk 170, bata for Tk 270, koi for Tk 190 and hilsa for Tk 680.

Fish trader Sujal Kumar Haldar said fish supplies from canals and ponds were low, contributing to reduced market arrivals. He said prices had increased slightly from the previous week despite some decline in overall fish prices.

Among other essentials, 28 varieties of rice were selling for Tk 55 per kg, red rice for Tk 50 and flour for Tk 45. Lentils cost Tk 110-120 per kg, kalai pulse Tk 170, motor pulse Tk 65 and sugar Tk 110.

In the meat market, beef sold for Tk 750 per kg and mutton for Tk 1,100. Broiler chicken sold for Tk 170-180 per kg, Sonali chicken for Tk 260-280, layer chicken for Tk 340-350 and native chicken for Tk 650. 

Ducks sold for Tk 350-400 and geese for Tk 450-500.

Rafiqul Alam, President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh’s Meherpur branch, said vegetables from Meherpur are supplied to different parts of the country. He said rain-related disruptions in crop production had reduced supplies and pushed up prices, but hoped that prices would decline in the coming days. He added that the administration continues to monitor the market.