Fish, Chicken, potatoes, rice price climb while vegetables, onion offer some relief

Retail prices of several essential food items, including broiler and Sonali chicken, potatoes and different varieties of rice, have increased in the capital, with traders blaming supply disruptions caused by extreme heat and recent rainfall.

A visit to Krishi Market and Town Hall Market in Mohammadpur, as well as Taltala Market in Agargaon on Friday, found that broiler chicken prices had surged by Tk20 per kilogram within just three to four days.
Broiler chicken, which sold for Tk170-Tk180 per kg at the beginning of the week, is now retailing at Tk190-Tk200 per kg across different markets in Dhaka.

Sonali chicken has also become more expensive, with prices increasing by Tk20 per kg. After selling between Tk280 and Tk330 per kg last week, the variety is now priced at Tk300-Tk350 per kg.

Rui fish is being sold at Tk300-400 per kg depending on size, katla at Tk230-500, bhetki at Tk400-550, pabda at Tk350-400, tengra at Tk500-700, and taki at Tk250-350.

Among other fish, tilapia was selling at Tk200-250 per kg, pangas at Tk200-220, mrigel at Tk250-300, baim at Tk600-800, koi at Tk400-500, shing at Tk400, poa at Tk260, and shol at Tk700 per kg.

Shrimp prices have also increased. Depending on the variety and size, shrimp is being sold at Tk550-900 per kg, while larger-sized shrimp fetched Tk800-1,200 per kg. Traders attributed the increase in chicken prices to tighter wholesale supplies.

Meanwhile, potato prices have also risen over the past month. Potatoes, which sold for Tk20-Tk25 per kg a month ago, are now selling for Tk25-Tk30 per kg, marking an increase of around 22 per cent.

According to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of locally produced garlic has increased by around 15 per cent over the past month. It is currently selling for Tk90-Tk140 per kg, compared with Tk60-Tk140 a month earlier.

Rice prices have also edged higher. TCB data show that fine rice varieties, including Nazirshail and Miniket, have become Tk2 more expensive per kilogram, with retail prices now ranging between Tk72 and Tk85 per kg.

Prices of medium-grade rice, such as Pajam and BR-28, have increased by Tk2-Tk3 per kg, while coarse rice has become Tk1-Tk2 dearer.

The sharpest increase has been recorded in aromatic or polao rice. Loose polao rice now sells for Tk160-Tk170 per kg after rising by Tk15 over the past month.

Vegetable prices, however, show a downward trend.

Green chillies and eggplants have become more expensive over the past week. Green chillies are currently selling for Tk120-Tk160 per kg, while eggplants are priced at Tk70-Tk100 per kg. Both items have risen by around Tk20 per kg compared with last week.

Onion prices also remained stable at Tk40-45 per kg, depending on quality. Garlic and ginger prices were likewise unchanged.