Staff Reporter :
The Finance Minister presented the proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year in parliament on June 6.
Unlike previous years, this year’s budget announcement did not lead to an immediate hike in the prices of everyday products.
A visit to several kitchen markets in the capital revealed that prices of essential products have largely remained stable, as traders continue to sell commodities at pre-budget rates.
This stability is attributed to the fact that the products were purchased before the budget announcement.
However, the prices of certain items, such as eggs, onions, and potatoes, remain high.
The price of eggs has been on the rise since the beginning of this month, with a dozen selling for Tk160 to 170 on Friday in the capital.
This marks an increase of Tk30 per dozen this month.
Special quality farm eggs are priced at Tk220 to Tk250 per dozen, while eggs from domestic rearing hens sell for Tk85 to 90 per hali (4 pieces), and duck eggs sell for Tk75 to 80 per hali.
The price of broiler chicken and Pakistani-origin Sonali chicken has increased by Tk10 to 20 per kg compared to the last two weeks. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk220 to 240 per kg, depending on size and quality.
Sonali chicken is now being sold at Tk360 to 370 per kg. Cock chicken is being sold at Tk370 to 390 per kg, layer chicken at Tk300 to 350 per kg, and indigenous (desi) chicken at Tk670 to 765 per kg.
Traders attribute these increases to higher costs of chicken feed and chicks, as well as the impact of the ongoing heatwave on chicken farms.
Beef prices have also risen, selling between Tk750 to 780 per kg on Friday, which is Tk30 higher than earlier in the week. Mutton and goat meat are selling for Tk1000 to 1180 per kg, an increase of Tk50 per kg.
In the fish market, Hilsha weighing about 450 grams is selling at Tk650 per kg, while Hilsha weighing over 1.0 kg is priced at Tk1800 to 2000 per kg at Karwan Bazar fish market.
Hilsha weighing 700 to 800 grams is selling for Tk900 to 1000 per piece. Fish like Rohu and Carp are selling between Tk300 to 450 per kg, depending on size and quality.
Other riverine small fish are priced at Tk400 to 700 per kg.
Vegetable prices have remained stable but high compared to previous years.
Traders cite inflation as the reason for these elevated prices.
Vegetables like eggplant, okra, drumsticks, string beans, and bitter gourd were stable at Tk50 to 60 per kg on Friday.
The price of tomatoes has increased as the season ends, with good quality tomatoes selling for Tk60 to 70 per kg. Vegetables like brinjal and others were selling at Tk50 to 60 per kg, while bottle gourd, ash gourd, and cauliflower were priced at Tk50 to 60 per piece.
The prices of other commodities, including rice, wheat, flour, milk, soybean, aromatic rice, and sugar, have remained unchanged. On Friday, garlic was selling for Tk220 to 270 per kg, ginger at Tk240 to 300 per kg, local onions at Tk80 per kg, green chili at Tk180 to 230 per kg, and dry red chili at Tk550 to 650 per kg in the capital.