Vegetable, broiler chicken prices remain high

Prices of broiler chicken, and most vegetables declined slightly in the daily commodities market in Dhaka, offering consumers some relief, while fish, egg remain almost unchanged at high prices.

Market visits showed on Friday, broiler chicken selling at Tk170 to Tk180 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk350 per kg. Farm eggs rise to Tk120 to Tk130 per dozen from around Tk150 a few days earlier.

The fish market, however, remained mostly stable. Prices of different varieties showed only minor variation from one market to another, with no major fluctuation overall.

A market visit showed pangash selling at Tk180 to Tk200 per kg, tilapia at Tk200 to Tk230, rohu at Tk260 to Tk350, mrigel at Tk250 to Tk300, local tengra at Tk600, bele at Tk350, baim at Tk600 to Tk800, pabda at Tk350, koi at Tk400 to Tk500, shing at Tk400, poa at Tk260, shol at Tk700 and taki at Tk400 per kg. Shrimp was selling at Tk550 to Tk900 per kg, depending on size and variety.

Vegetable prices eased as seasonal production increased and supply improved. Most vegetables were selling at Tk50 to Tk80 per kg.
Market visits showed eggplant at Tk60 per kg, cucumber at Tk50, bitter gourd at Tk70, long bean at Tk60, radish at Tk50, taro stolon at Tk60 and sponge gourd at Tk50. Papaya was selling at Tk40 to Tk50, carrot at Tk100 to Tk120, taro root at Tk50, pointed gourd at Tk60, teasel gourd at Tk60 to Tk70, bottle gourd at Tk50 to Tk60 each, potatoes at Tk25 per kg, coriander leaves at Tk10 per bunch and green chilies at Tk60 to Tk80 per kg. Two pair of lemons was available at Tk20, while small lemons were selling at Tk10.

Traders said the supply of vegetables, including pointed gourd, teasel gourd, long bean, taro stolon and sponge gourd, had improved as seasonal production increased.

They said this was helping keep prices within Tk50 to Tk80 per kg.
They also said beef prices remained stable after Eid-ul-Azha, with beef selling at Tk800 per kg.

Ali Azam, a chicken seller at Raisaheb Bazar, said: “For the past few days, broiler and Sonali chicken prices have been stable. On Friday we are selling broiler at Tk160 per kg and Sonali at Tk320 per kg. There is no major fluctuation as supply is good in the market.”

Rafiqul Islam, a fish trader at Narinda Bazar, said: “The fish market has become somewhat normal after Eid. Almost all types of fish are being sold at earlier prices. Although there is a Tk20 to Tk30 variation depending on the market, there has been no major increase. Buyers are also purchasing fish normally now.”

Rickshaw puller Barkat Ali said: “Vegetable prices have come down compared to before. I bought 1 kg of sponge gourd for Tk50. Bitter gourd, long bean, radish and most vegetables are available within Tk50 to Tk70. Only carrot is still a bit expensive. Overall, there is some relief in the market now.”

Nasir Uddin, a private-sector employee shopping at Narinda Bazar, said: “Compared with a few weeks ago, the market now feels much more manageable. In particular, lower prices of eggs, broiler chicken and most vegetables are helping us handle household expenses to some extent. I hope prices of all products remain like this or come down further.”