Winter vegetables arrive but prices remain high

The arrival of early winter vegetables in Dhaka's kitchen markets has yet to bring relief to consumers, with prices of most varieties remaining high and tomatoes and beans among the costliest items.

Tomatoes were selling at Tk180�"200 per kilogram in several markets in mid-October, while newly harvested beans were priced at Tk160�"200 per kg. Although cauliflower, radish and cabbage have started arriving in the capital, supplies remain insufficient to bring down prices significantly.

A market survey published on Friday found that cauliflower, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, and pointed gourd were selling at around Tk80 per kg at Mohammadpur's Town Hall market and Karwan Bazar. Eggplant and spiny gourd were priced at Tk100 per kg, while early-season radish and okra were available at around Tk80.

Prices varied across markets. In Shewrapara, Agargaon, Badda and Vatara kitchen markets, pointed gourd, okra and gourd were selling at Tk60�"80 per kg, while eggplant cost Tk80�"120 and tomatoes Tk180�"200.

New potatoes were selling at around Tk200 per kg in some markets. Cauliflower was priced at Tk50�"80 apiece, depending on size, while small cabbages were available at Tk40�"60 each. Beans were selling at Tk80�"100 per kg, cucumber at Tk70�"80. Sweet pumpkin and green papaya remained relatively affordable at Tk40�"50 and Tk20�"30 per kg, respectively.

The high prices have frustrated consumers who had expected the arrival of seasonal vegetables to ease household expenses. Many families are now reducing the quantities they buy or choosing cheaper alternatives to manage their food budgets.

Sadiya Akter Brishti, a consumer shopping at Vatara New Market, told the daily observer that rising prices of essential commodities were making it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses. She highlighted the high costs of vegetables, fish and chicken and called for stronger market monitoring.

Rahman Mia a private service holder said that over the cost of vegetables, particularly beans, green chillies and carrots very high. For this reason the low income people cannot affort.   

Another consumer, Loskar Ray, said household expenses were exceeding available budgets and hoped prices would fall as winter supplies increased.

Vegetable traders have attributed the high prices partly to procurement and transportation costs, as the supply of seasonal produce has yet to reach its peak.

Liton Mia, a vegetable seller at Town Hall market, said that prices generally remained high before winter vegetables arrived in larger quantities. 
He also cited higher truck fares as an additional cost affecting retail prices.

Rafik, a roadside vegetable vendor in Badda, said that retailers were buying vegetables at higher prices from wholesale markets and had to account for transportation and other expenses.
He also reported weaker sales as consumers cut back on purchases.

The price pressure extends beyond vegetables. Broiler chicken prices have also increased in recent weeks, while lentils have become more expensive. Fish prices remain high, although traders expect some relief next month if supplies improve. Egg prices, in contrast, have declined slightly.

For low- and middle-income households, the rising cost of food has become a growing concern as incomes struggle to keep pace with expenditure. Vegetables, a staple of everyday meals, account for a significant share of household food purchases, making sustained price increases particularly burdensome.

Traders expect prices to ease as harvesting of winter vegetables expands and larger volumes reach wholesale markets. Until then, consumers in the capital will have to wait for the full winter harvest to translate into lower retail prices and meaningful relief for their household budgets.