Staff Reporter :
Within a week, prices of most vegetables in the market have dropped by Tk 10-20 per kilogram.
While this has not brought full relief, it has at least prevented further discomfort for consumers. On the other hand, the price of farm eggs has increased by Tk 10 per dozen over the week, now selling at Tk 150 per dozen in retail shops.
However, although refiners announced a Tk 6 per litre increase in soybean oil prices, traders have yet to raise retail prices as the government has not approved the proposal.
A visit to several city markets on Friday – including Jurain, Jatrabari, Hatirpool, Shantinagar, Rampura, and Malibagh – revealed the situation.
Vendors said vegetable prices are expected to fall further in the next 15-20 days as early winter vegetables are starting to arrive in the market. Once supply increases – especially of items like beans and cauliflower – prices are likely to drop further.
Market observation showed that prices of potatoes and papayas have fallen significantly.
A van in front of Rampura market was selling 6 kilograms of potatoes for Tk 100. Inside the market, potatoes were selling at Tk 20-25 per kg. Papaya prices were also between Tk 20 and Tk 30 per kg.
The price of pointed gourd (potol) remains unchanged at Tk 70-80 per kg. Eggplant prices have decreased slightly, now selling for Tk 80-100 per kg compared to Tk 120-160 last week.
Radish, cucumber, taro stems, and several other vegetables are selling for Tk 50-60 per kg.
Prices of green chilies have also dropped – currently Tk 120-140 per kg, down from Tk 160 last week.
Early winter vegetables like beans still remain out of reach for many consumers, selling for Tk 200-260 per kg.
Okra, ridge gourd, snake gourd, and teasel gourd are priced at Tk 60-80 per kg, while newly arrived yardlong beans are selling for Tk 100 per kg.
Vegetable vendor Arif Hossain said, “Prices of vegetables haven’t gone up this week; rather, they’ve fallen by Tk 10-20 per kg. Unless something unexpected happens, prices won’t rise again. They’ll likely drop gradually as more winter vegetables arrive.”
Consumers’ main concern this week was edible oil. Although mill owners announced price hikes, they couldn’t implement them due to the Ministry of Commerce’s intervention.
Refiners had proposed increasing soybean oil prices by Tk 6 per litre and palm oil by Tk 13 per litre.
A visit to several Dhaka markets on Thursday showed that two-litre bottles of soybean oil were selling for Tk 375-378 – the same as before. Five-litre bottles were priced at Tk 920-922.
Loose soybean oil also remained unchanged, selling for Tk 185-190 per litre, while loose palm oil was priced at Tk 170 per litre.
Khairul Islam, a grocery trader at Segunbagicha market, said, “We heard that edible oil prices would go up, and even dealer representatives informed us about it. But prices haven’t risen yet.
Consumer rights officials visited this morning to check prices and supply conditions.”
Besides edible oil, prices of sugar, lentils, ginger, and garlic have also remained stable, though lentil prices have increased slightly over the past two weeks. Sugar is selling for Tk 105-110 per kg.
Small-grain lentils are priced at Tk 150-160, medium-grain at Tk 130-145, and large-grain lentils at Tk 115-125 per kg. Onion prices remain steady at Tk 70-80 per kg.
Farm eggs are currently selling for Tk 140-150 per dozen. Two weeks ago, prices were around Tk 140, though in larger markets, eggs can still be found at previous rates.
Among poultry, Sonali chickens are selling for Tk 290-310 per kg – down from over Tk 320 last week. Broiler chickens are priced at Tk 170-180 per kg.
