Egg, onion, garlic prices still beyond control

Staff Reporter :
Along with onion, vegetables, fish and egg, the more important kitchen staple in Bengali cuisine garlic price has jumped in the market.

In the capital kitchen market, the price of imported garlic has increased by 9.52% in one month – presently being sold at Tk220-240 per kg, increasing from Tk200-220.

A year ago, the price of imported garlic was Tk110-130 per kg.

The price of local garlic has increased by 15% in a month.

From Tk180-220 per kg a month ago, it is now being sold at Tk220-240.

A year ago, the price of local garlic was Tk60-80 per kg.

Furthermore, the price of imported onions has increased by 70.59% in a month and is currently being sold at Tk70-75 per kilogramme, according to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

A month ago, the price of imported onion was Tk40-45 per kg. Onion prices have been increasing for several weeks.

On 19 August, India imposed a 40% export duty on onions to increase the supply of onions in the domestic market and control price hikes.

Since then, the cost of imported onions in Bangladesh has surged, soaring to a staggering 70%, says TCB data up until 24 August.

Due to the increase in the price of imported onion, the price of domestic onion has also increased.

Abdul Majed, a wholesale onion trader of Shyambazar in the capital, said on Friday (25 August), “Onions are being sold at Tk57-58 per kg depending on the quality; local onion is Tk70-72/kg.

Local garlic is being sold for Tk200-210 per kg.

Imported Chinese garlic is being sold at Tk95-210 per kg.”

Meanwhile, the government has decided to allow the import of onions from China, Egypt, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkey, Myanmar, Thailand, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates to control the price hike.

Moreover, the price of fish and vegetablesstill remained high as the limited income group could not afford to buy and struggling with difficulties to run the family.

Egg price reduced insignificantly as Tk 5 decreased per hali and Tk20 per dozen which doesn’t make any change in the market. Now per dozen eggs is being sold at Tk150-Tk155.

On the other hand, prices of onions, fish and a number of vegetables witnessed a rise in Dhaka’s kitchen market on Friday, with almost all vegetables becoming Tk10-30 costlier per kg compared to the last week.

Buyers said prices of all items are increasing due to a lack of government monitoring.

Eggplants were being sold at Tk80-Tk90 per kg, round eggplants at Tk100, cucumber at Tk120, bitter melon at Tk100, papaya at Tk40-Tk60, pointed gourd at Tk80, spiny gourd Tk60, carrots at Tk120, tomatoes at Tk240, pumpkin at Tk30-40, okra at Tk60, snake gourd at Tk80, sponge gourd at Tk 80, yardlong bean at Tk100, green chilli at Tk240, coriander leaves at Tk300, gourd at Tk80, wax gourds are Tk70-80 per piece and bananas Tk35-40 per hali.

Compared to the last week, the prices of all vegetables increased by Tk10-30.

However, the price of cucumber has doubled.

Last week, it was sold at Tk 40-60 per kg, but this week it is being sold at Tk120 per kg.

Local onions were being sold at Tk90 per kg, cross variety onions at Tk80-90, Indian onions at Tk60, ginger at Tk200-220, Chinese garlic at Tk220, local garlic at Tk220 and potatoes at Tk40.

Local onions saw a Tk15 increase, Indian onions Tk 10 and cross-varieties Tk 15-20 compared to the last week.

When vegetable vendors were asked about the reason for the price hike, they said that the prices increased due to flooding in different areas.

Besides, ilish fish was being sold at Tk1,300-2,000 per kg, rui at Tk400-450, catla at Tk450, shrimp at Tk1,000-1,400, corica at Tk500, batasio at Tk850, Gangetic koi at Tk280 and helicopter catfish at Tk650-750 per kg.

In the market, broilers are priced at Tk180-200 per kg, “cock chicken” at Tk340, local chicken at Tk550 and beef at Tk750-780 per kg.

The price of beef was set at Tk750 by Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association. Vendors are charging Tk780 not adhering to the fixed price.

A customer who came to purchase fish remarked that not only vegetable prices are high, but fish prices are also soaring.

He added: “I used to buy small shrimp at Tk700; today it is Tk1,000.

And ilish is out of reach altogether.”
However, another buyer said he found fish prices to be manageable.

“Just a few days ago, I used to buy ilish at Tk2,000 or Tk2,100 per kg.

Today (Friday), I got it for Tk1,700 per kg,” he added.