Dhaka kitchen mkt: Egg prices drop, oil crisis worsens

Dhaka kitchen markets on Friday (September 18) saw a Tk 10 drop in egg prices per dozen, while bottled soybean oil supplies remained severely disrupted and fish and meat prices stayed high.

Egg prices dropped by Tk 10 per dozen compared to last week, selling at Tk 140 to Tk 145 across capital markets.

Broiler chicken prices remained steady at Tk 190 per kg, while Sonali, Hybrid, and Layer chicken prices dropped by Tk 10 per kg. Sonali chicken sold for Tk 310 to Tk 320 per kg, Hybrid at Tk 290 to Tk 300, and Layer at Tk 350 per kg. Beef prices remained unchanged at Tk 800 per kg.

Meanwhile, fish prices remained elevated, with Pangas selling for at least Tk 230 per kg and Tilapia at Tk 260 per kg. Cultured Rui sold between Tk 270 and Tk 500 depending on size, Shrimp from Tk 800 to Tk 900, Pabda from Tk 350 to Tk 450, Tengra at Tk 700, and Baim at Tk 700 to Tk 800 per kg.

High fish prices continue to force low-income consumers to cut back on their daily purchases.

A severe shortage of bottled soybean oil hit retail grocers, leaving many shoppers unable to find half-liter or one-liter bottles. Retailers noted that refining companies reduced supply despite hiking edible oil prices by Tk 5 per liter on September 2.

Bottled soybean oil now sells at Tk 204 per liter, making a two-liter bottle cost Tk 408 and a five-liter container Tk 1,020. Retailers stated that distributor commissions fell to just Tk 1 per liter, making sales unprofitable alongside tight supplies. The bottled oil deficit drove loose soybean oil prices up to Tk 205–208 per liter, while Palm oil sold for Tk 180 to Tk 185 per kg.

Vegetable prices remained relatively high but stable across urban markets. Okra and Pointed Gourd sold for Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg, while Cucumbers traded at Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg. Local Gourd sold for Tk 60 to Tk 70 per piece, long Brinjal reached Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg, and Bitter Gourd ranged between Tk 70 and Tk 100 per kg.

Yardlong Beans commanded a high price of Tk 100 to Tk 130 per kg. Green chili prices rose significantly, selling between Tk 140 and Tk 180 per kg compared to Tk 80 to Tk 120 in previous weeks.

-SA