Veg prices drop, rice costs surge in city markets

Noman Mosharef :

The price of vegetables has reached a record low due to an abundant supply of winter produce in the market, providing relief and satisfaction to consumers. However, the high price of rice has dampened this relief, causing concern among lower- and middle-income groups, who are struggling to maintain their families.

The cost of almost all types of rice has been rising over the past three weeks, despite the removal of import duties and the influx of rice imports.

During visits to various kitchen markets in the capital on Friday, including Karwan Bazar, Mirpur, and Kazipara, it was found that the price of fine rice has increased by Tk 6-8 per kg, medium-quality rice by Tk 5-6, and coarse rice by Tk 2-3 per kg compared to three weeks ago.

Miniket rice is now priced at Tk 75-85 per kg, up from Tk 68-78; Nazirshail rice at Tk 78-90 per kg, up from Tk 72-82; BR-28 rice at Tk 64-66, up from Tk 58-62; and Paijam rice at Tk 62-65, up from Tk 55-58 per kg.

Additionally, coarse rice (Guti Shorna) has risen by Tk 2-3 per kg. Three weeks ago, it was Tk 50-52 per kg, but buyers now have to pay Tk 52-55.

MA Raihan Joglu, the owner of Matlab Traders in Karwan Bazar, who has been in the business for over 40 years, stated that rice prices were already high, and this recent increase, during the Aman harvesting season despite tax exemptions and imports from India, is unusual.

He attributed this price hike to large companies and millers competing to purchase and stockpile paddy, creating an artificial shortage that drives prices up.

Masuma Begum, who runs a mess in the East Tejturi Bazar area, said that she needs 100 kg of rice each week.

Three weeks ago, Paijam rice was priced at Tk 2,700 per 50-kg sack, but it has gradually increased to Tk 3,000. She added that she used to charge Tk 160 for two meals a day, but now the price is Tk 180, upsetting her mess members, most of whom have limited income.

Nirod Boron Saha, president of the Paddy and Rice Stockists and Wholesalers’ Association in Naogaon, explained that there is a shortage in paddy stock due to last season’s flooding and natural disasters.

“The paddy for fine rice that we used to buy for Tk 1,300-1,400 per maund eight months ago is now Tk 1,850-1,900.”

However, the situation is different in the market for fish, meat, and other daily necessities. According to traders, meat prices may increase further before Shab-e-Barat.

Currently, the prices of almost all vegetables are within a reasonable range, bringing relief to consumers. On Friday, tomatoes were sold at Tk 40 per kg, carrots at Tk 40, beans at Tk 30-40, long eggplants at Tk 40, white round eggplants at Tk 50, black round eggplants at Tk 50-60, cucumbers at Tk 30-40, bitter gourds at Tk 70, papayas at Tk 40, radishes at Tk 20, red radishes at Tk 30, turnips at Tk 20, ladyfingers at Tk 70, pointed gourds at Tk 80, ridge gourds at Tk 60, snake gourds at Tk 60, yardlong beans at Tk 60-70, onion stalks at Tk 20, taro stems at Tk 80, taro roots at Tk 80, pumpkins at Tk 30, green chilies at Tk 50-60, and coriander leaves at Tk 50 per kg. Depending on quality, bottle gourds are priced at Tk 60-70 each, white pumpkins at Tk 40-50, cauliflowers at Tk 20, and cabbages at Tk 20 each.

Additionally, raw bananas are priced at Tk 25 for four pieces, and lemons are sold at Tk 25-30 for a set of four. Compared to last week, the prices of most vegetables have dropped by Tk 10-30 per kg, while some have remained unchanged.

Shahed Ahmed, a buyer, expressed his satisfaction, stating: “The prices of vegetables have dropped significantly. It should always stay this way. Such prices ensure that everyone can afford to eat and live properly.”

Vendor Md Shah Alam said: “The quality of vegetables is excellent now, and the prices are reasonable. Previously, we used to buy vegetables at higher prices, and they were not as fresh as they are now.”

The prices of all varieties of potatoes have decreased, along with a drop in the price of Chinese ginger. On Friday, new local onions were sold at Tk 50-55 per kg, with smaller onions priced at Tk 50 and larger ones at Tk 55.

New white potatoes were available at Tk 25 per kg, red potatoes at Tk 25, and Bogra potatoes at Tk 30-35 per kg. Local garlic was priced at Tk 240 per kg, Chinese garlic at Tk 220-230, Chinese ginger at Tk 200-220, and new Indian ginger at Tk 120 per kg. Compared to last week, the price of new white potatoes has decreased by Tk 5-10 per kg, red potatoes by Tk 5-10, and Bogra potatoes by Tk 15-20. Additionally, Chinese ginger prices have dropped by Tk 20-40 per kg.

Although the prices of broiler and cock chickens have slightly decreased, they remain far from satisfactory. Meanwhile, the prices of beef and mutton remain unchanged, as do those of layer and local chickens. On Friday, beef was sold at Tk 780 per kg, while mutton was priced at Tk 1,150 per kg. Depending on weight, broiler chicken was priced at Tk 193-200 per kg, cock chicken at Tk 305-315, layer chicken at Tk 288-290, and local chicken at Tk 550 per kg. Farm chicken eggs (both red and white) were sold at Tk 130 per dozen.

Compared to last week, broiler chicken prices have decreased by Tk 3-10 per kg, and cock chicken by Tk 15-35 per kg. However, the prices of beef, mutton, local chicken, and layer chicken remain unchanged, as do egg prices.

Vendor Shahjahan explained: “Prices have decreased, but they fluctuate. We cannot control this; we sell at a slight profit margin above the purchase price.” Meat sellers stated that the usual reasons for high beef and mutton prices include higher demand and lower supply. They also predicted further price hikes before Shab-e-Barat.

On Friday, fish prices were as follows: hilsa at Tk 700-2,200 per kg, rohu at Tk 350-550, katla at Tk 400-600, kalibaus at Tk 450-600, shrimp at Tk 800-1,500, kachki at Tk 400, koi at Tk 220-1,200, pabda at Tk 400-600, shing at Tk 400-1,000, tengra at Tk 500-800, boal at Tk 600-1,200, shol at Tk 800-1,100, meni at Tk 600-700, chital at Tk 600-900, sarputi at Tk 250-400, and rupchanda at Tk 800-1,200 per kg.

Grocery prices have remained stable, except for chickpeas, which have dropped by Tk 10 per kg. Small lentils are priced at Tk 135 per kg, coarse lentils at Tk 110, large mung beans at Tk 140, small mung beans at Tk 170, khesari at Tk 110, chickpea lentils at Tk 135, mash beans at Tk 190, split peas at Tk 70, and chickpeas at Tk 120. Packet polao rice costs Tk 150 per kg, while loose polao rice ranges between Tk 110-140. Bottled soybean oil is priced at Tk 175 per liter, loose soybean oil at Tk 157, packet sugar at Tk 125 per kg, loose sugar at Tk 125, two-kilogram flour packets at Tk 150, two-kilogram atta packets at Tk 115, and mustard oil at Tk 190 per liter. However, the supply of soybean oil has not yet normalised.

Vendors have claimed that companies are linking the sale of oil with other products, which restricts their ability to sell oil properly. Md. Selim, a vendor at Selim General Store, commented: “We are still unable to sell soybean oil as usual. Companies are not supplying us as before, and they are forcing us to purchase other products to get oil.”