Dhaka kitchen mkts: Rice, early winter veggies price soar

Prices of several rice varieties rose in capital kitchen markets over the past week due to higher transport costs and rising paddy prices.

Surveys at key retail markets, including Malibagh, Rayer Bazar, and Mohammadpur Krishi Market, on Friday showed medium-grain BRRI-28 rice selling at Tk 63 to Tk 65 per kg, up from Tk 62 to Tk 63 last week. Fine Miniket rice increased by Tk 2 per kg to Tk 75, while Paijam rice rose to Tk 60 per kg from Tk 58. Coarse varieties, including Guti Swarna, remained stable between Tk 50 and Tk 55 per kg.

Traders said higher fuel costs raised truck fares, driving wholesale and retail prices up by Tk 50 to Tk 100 per 50 kg sack. Chishti, a trader at Malibagh market, said increased freight charges directly impacted consumer prices.

Despite early winter vegetables like cauliflower, radish, and beans hitting the market, prices remained high. Except for papaya and sweet pumpkin, few items were available under Tk 80 per kg. Papaya offered relief at Tk 20 to Tk 30 per kg, while sweet pumpkin sold at Tk 50 per kg. Tomatoes retailed between Tk 120 and Tk 200 per kg depending on quality and origin.

Winter beans sold at Tk 120 to Tk 160 per kg. Brinjal priced at Tk 70 to Tk 100 per kg, while pointed gourd, teasel gourd, and lady’s finger ranged between Tk 50 and Tk 80 per kg. Green chilli prices dropped slightly to Tk 120 to Tk 140 per kg. Cauliflower sold at Tk 70 per piece, and bottle gourds ranged between Tk 40 and Tk 80 per piece.

Meat and poultry prices remained largely stable over the past week. Broiler chicken retailed between Tk 180 and Tk 190 per kg, while Sonali chicken sold at Tk 310 to Tk 330 per kg. Beef prices held steady at Tk 800 to Tk 850 per kg. Farm egg prices fell by Tk 10 per dozen, selling at Tk 140 per dozen.

Fish prices remained largely unchanged, varying slightly by size and origin. Medium-sized Ruhi sold between Tk 280 and Tk 350 per kg, while larger ones fetched Tk 380 to Tk 500 per kg. Pangas was priced at Tk 230 per kg, farmed Koi at Tk 240 to Tk 300 per kg, Tilapia at Tk 250 per kg, and Pabda at Tk 350 per kg. Farmed prawns retailed between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,300 per kg, Tengra at Tk 700 per kg, and wild-caught Rupchanda traded above Tk 1,000 per kg.

-SA