Cyclone conspires to stoke prices of essentials

Staff Reporter :

The prices of daily commodities, including fish, chicken, meat, potato, and green chili, have surged significantly, exacerbated by the effects of Cyclone Remal.

Egg prices have been on an upward trend since the beginning of this month, reaching Tk 160 to 170 per dozen in the capital on Friday, marking a Tk 30 increase per dozen this month. Special quality farm eggs are priced at Tk 220 to Tk 250 per dozen, while domestic rearing hen eggs sell at Tk 85 to 90 per hali (4 pieces) and duck eggs at Tk 75 to 80 per hali.

Broiler and Pakistani-origin Sonali chicken prices have increased by Tk 10 to 20 per kg compared to the last two weeks. Broiler chicken is selling at Tk 220 to 240 per kg, depending on size and quality. Sonali chicken prices have also risen, selling at Tk 360 to 370 per kg. Additionally, cock chicken is being sold at Tk 370 to 390 per kg, layer chicken at Tk 300 to 350 per kg, and Indigenous (desi) chicken at Tk 670 to 765 per kg.

Traders attribute the chicken price hike to increased costs of chicken feed and chicks, as well as the ongoing heat wave affecting chicken farms.

Beef prices have risen to Tk 750 to 780 per kg, an increase of Tk 30 per kg compared to earlier in the week. Mutton is selling at Tk 1000 to 1180 per kg, up by Tk 50 per kg.

At Karwan Bazar fish market on Friday, Hilsha weighing about 450 grams was selling at Tk 650 per kg, while Hilsha weighing over 1.0 kg was priced at Tk 1800 to 2000 per kg. Hilsha weighing 700 to 800 grams was selling at Tk 900 to 1000 per piece. Ruhit and carp fish prices ranged from Tk 300 to 450 per kg based on size and quality, while riverine small fish were selling at Tk 400 to 700 per kg.

Vegetable prices have remained stable but at a higher rate compared to previous years, with traders blaming inflation. Eggplant, okra, drumsticks, string beans, and bitter gourd were stable at Tk 50 to 60 per kg. Tomato prices have increased due to the end of the season, with good quality tomatoes selling at Tk 60 to 70 per kg. Brinjal and other vegetables were priced at Tk 50 to 60 per kg, and bottle gourd, ash gourd, and cauliflower at Tk 50 to 60 per piece.

Other commodity prices, including rice, wheat, flour, milk, soybean, aromatic rice, and sugar, have remained unchanged. On Friday, garlic was selling at Tk 220 to 270, ginger at Tk 240 to 300, local variety onions at Tk 80 per kg, green chili at Tk 180 to 230, and dry red chili at Tk 550 to 650 per kg in the capital.