Staff Reporter :
The prices of green chillies and cucumbers have surged by 50% in just one day, driven by increased demand for Eid-ul-Adha and a significant decline in supply.
Traders reported that on Saturday morning, the price of green chillies reached Tk320 per kg in various retail markets, a steep rise from Tk180-200 on Friday.
Similarly, cucumbers saw their prices jump to Tk140 per kg, up from Tk80 the previous day.
This sharp increase has been attributed to several factors. Firstly, the Eid-ul-Adha holidays typically see a spike in demand for these vegetables, essential for many festive dishes.
Secondly, recent natural disasters, including Cyclone Remal and flash floods in the Sylhet region, have severely disrupted supply chains, further tightening the market.
Ali Hossain, a vegetable seller at Dilu Road in Dhaka, shared his insights with The New Nation.
“The supply of vegetables has been insufficient to meet the high demand, causing wholesalers to hike prices overnight,” he explained. This scenario mirrors last year’s Eid-ul-Adha, when the price of green chillies soared to a record high of Tk800-1,000 per kg.
The price hikes are not limited to vegetables alone. Spices have also seen
a significant increase, exacerbating an already upward trend.
Retailers point to higher wholesale prices as the primary cause, while wholesalers cite rising dollar prices and increased transportation costs as contributing factors.
Year-on-year data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) indicates that the prices of most spices have surged by 20% to 76% compared to last year.
Essential spices such as cinnamon, cumin, cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, black pepper, ginger, garlic, and onion have all seen significant price increases, ranging from Tk20 to Tk1,200 per kg for both retail and wholesale purchases.
The ongoing price hikes are putting a strain on household budgets, especially during the festive season when the demand for these ingredients peaks. Consumers and traders alike are feeling the pinch, with many calling for government intervention to stabilize prices and ensure a steady supply of essential commodities.
As the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations approach, the pressure on the market is likely to intensify. Authorities and stakeholders will need to work together to address the supply shortages and mitigate the impact of natural disasters on agriculture, ensuring that future festive seasons do not see similar disruptions.