Rising kitchen costs squeeze household budgets

Rising prices of essential goods, including rice, eggs, edible oil, vegetables, fish, meat and LPG, are putting growing pressure on low and lower-middle-income households.

Egg prices have increased by Tk30-40 per dozen in less than a month, while vegetables, fish and meat have also become costlier in city markets.

According to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, brinjal prices rose by 82 percent over the past month, green chilli by 67 percent, cucumber by 30 percent and eggs by 15 percent during the same period.

Traders said the latest price hike was driven by higher fuel costs following the government’s price adjustment on April 19, which increased transport and supply chain expenses. Recent rainfall also disrupted vegetable supplies, pushing up prices further.

Data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics shows that overall inflation climbed to 9.04 percent in April, remaining above 9 percent in both urban and rural areas.

Low and lower-middle-income families are bearing the brunt of the price hikes, with many cutting back on nutritious food to manage household expenses. Economists and health experts have long warned that reduced access to nutritious food can increase the risk of long-term health problems, especially among children and vulnerable groups.

A visit to Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Town Hall Market and Karwan Bazar in the capital on Friday found brown farm eggs selling at Tk140 per dozen in wholesale markets and up to Tk145 in retail shops. White farm eggs were selling at Tk130 per dozen.

Only a week ago, egg prices were around Tk10 lower. Less than a month earlier, a dozen eggs sold for Tk100-110, showing a sharp rise of Tk30-40 within weeks.

Abid Hossain, an egg trader at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, said rainy weather has increased egg consumption over the past two weeks.

“Due to higher demand, wholesalers in Tejgaon and Kaptan Bazar increased prices, forcing retailers to follow suit,” he said.

Vegetable prices also remained high, with traders saying hardly any vegetable is now available below Tk80 per kilogram. Most vegetables are currently selling at Tk80-120 per kg.

Al-Nahian, a vegetable seller at Town Hall Market, said heavy rainfall reduced vegetable supplies from different districts, while increased diesel prices pushed up transportation costs.

“As transport fares rise, vegetable prices also go up,” he said.

Broiler chicken prices have remained high for more than a month, selling at Tk190-200 per kg, compared with Tk150-160 earlier.

Golden chicken was selling at Tk350-360 per kg, while hybrid golden, also known as colour bird chicken, was priced at Tk320-330 per kg.

Beef prices have also risen by Tk50 per kg, reaching Tk800-850.

Fish prices have seen similar increases. Traders said rui fish now costs at least Tk350 per kg, while larger fish are selling for Tk450-500. Pangasius, tilapia and pabda have also become Tk30-50 costlier per kg.

Meanwhile, the supply of bottled soybean oil, which had remained scarce for nearly three months, has improved after the government raised prices by Tk4 per litre around a week and a half ago.

Following the adjustment, the price of a one-litre bottle of soybean oil rose from Tk195 to Tk199.
The price of a 12-kg LPG cylinder has also jumped by up to 43 percent, adding further pressure on household budgets.

Consumers said the continuous rise in food and fuel prices is making it increasingly difficult to manage monthly expenses.

Abu Nasir, an employee at a private company, said his family had some relief during the winter season, but expenses are rising again.

“We had some relief during winter, but now daily expenses are increasing again,” he said.