Staff Reporter :
The prices of nearly all varieties of chicken have increased over the past few days. Pakistani chicken, which was selling for Tk 230 per kilogram last week, is now priced at Tk 250. Similarly, broiler chicken has seen a rise, now being sold at Tk 170 per kg compared to Tk 160 just a week earlier.
Egg prices have also surged, increasing by Tk 10 to 15 per dozen in recent days. Eggs, previously priced at Tk 150 per dozen, are now being sold for Tk 155 to Tk 160. Additionally, beef continues to sell at Tk 750-800 per kg.
Ashik Rahman, a customer purchasing broiler chicken at Hatirpool Bazar, mentioned that although the price of chicken has dropped slightly, he feels somewhat relieved by the change.
During visits to several kitchen markets in the capital, it was observed that the prices of daily commodities remain largely unchanged. Potatoes were being sold at Tk 60 per kg, tomatoes at Tk 140, beans at Tk 240, papaya at Tk 30, ribbed gourd (jhinga) at Tk 60, chichinga at Tk 60, yardlong bean (borboti) at Tk 70, sponge gourd (dhundal) at Tk 50, bitter gourd at Tk 60, ladies’ finger at Tk 50, pointed gourd (patal) at Tk 60, spiny gourd at Tk 70, brinjal at Tk 60-80, sweet pumpkin at Tk 50, cucumber at Tk 40-50, and taro root (kochurmukhi) at Tk 60 per kg. Lemons were sold at Tk 30 for 4 pieces, and green chilies were priced at Tk 160-200 per kg.
Onion prices remained steady at Tk 120 per kg, while ginger was priced at Tk 200 and garlic at Tk 220.
Tayub Ali, a shopkeeper at Ananda Bazar, remarked that despite the formation of the new government, vegetable prices have not decreased and remain high. “There is no vegetable below Tk 60 in the market. A new syndicate seems to have replaced the old one,” he added.
Fish prices also remain high, with Pangas and Tilapia not available for less than Tk 220 per kg. Ruhi (farm) fish was priced at Tk 320-400 per kg, while the prices of indigenous fish varieties were beyond the reach of common people. Other species like Nala fish were sold at Tk 240, Grass Carp at Tk 250, Puti at Tk 200, and Chandana fish at Tk 300.
The national fish, Hilsa, continues to command high prices, with specimens above 1 kg selling for Tk 1700 per kg, 1 kg Hilsa at Tk 1500, and those weighing between 600 to 900 grams priced at Tk 1400 per kg.
Commenting on the high prices, trader Jahangir noted, “As the floodwaters started receding, fishermen are unable to catch large quantities of fish. As a result, the price of Hilsa remains high.”
Abul Bashar, another shopkeeper at Ananda Bazar, stated that he was selling various types of rice at Tk 60-75 per kg. Local lentils are being sold at Tk 140 per kg, while Indian lentils are priced at Tk 110. Mung dal remains available at Tk 175 per kg, and soybean oil is being sold at Tk 168 per kg, unchanged from last week.