Monsoon rains, supply disruptions drive up essentials prices
A combination of relentless monsoon rainfall, localized flooding, and seasonal supply chain disruptions has sent prices of essential kitchen market items spiraling out of control across Bangladesh, putting severe pressure on middle and low-income households.
On Friday, Prices of onions, eggs, poultry, fish, and seasonal vegetables have registered a sharp upturn over the past week, leaving retail buyers struggling to cope with the sudden surge at neighborhood markets in the capital and beyond.
Corresponding, Green chilli prices have surged by about Tk 100 a kilogram within a week as persistent rainfall has disrupted harvesting and reduced market supplies, offering better returns to farmers but also raising fears of damage to the cash crop if wet weather continues.
In some markets in the capital, the staple spice is selling for as much as Tk 280 per kilogram.
Onions have witnessed a fresh hike of Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kilogram within a week. Retailers in Dhaka are selling the key cooking ingredient at Tk 45 to Tk 55 per kg, with prices touching Tk 60 in several retail hubs. Only a week ago, local onions were available at Tk 35 to Tk 45 per kg.
Wholesale traders attribute the supply crunch to rural seasonal activities. Farmers in primary growing hubs like Pabna’s Santhia are currently engaged in harvesting and processing jute, leading to reduced arrivals at local wholesale markets (haats).
In Santhia, onions sold at Tk 1,400-1,700 per maund (Tk 35-42.5/kg), which escalated to Tk 45-47 in Shyambazar wholesale market before hitting retail counters.
Traders noted that prices had collapsed to Tk 1,000 per maund two weeks ago, failing to cover production costs. While current prices bring much-needed relief to farmers, supply remains temporarily tight in urban hubs as rural labor shifts to jute harvesting despite plentiful stocks in farm stores.
The protein market offers no respite either. Broiler chicken prices have surged to Tk 200 per kg, while Sonali chicken sells between Tk 320 and Tk 350 per kg marking a Tk 30 to Tk 40 jump per kg in three weeks.
Brown farm eggs have soared to Tk 140 a dozen, with neighborhood grocery stores charging even higher. Commonly consumed fish like Rohu, Tilapia, and Pangas have also turned costlier, with Rohu prices climbing by Tk 50 per kg over the past month.
Meanwhile, vegetable prices have skyrocketed. Heavy rains have damaged standing crops, pushing most seasonal vegetables including aubergine, bitter gourd, and yardlong beans to Tk 80-120 per kg. Consumer rights activists have urged the government to step up market monitoring and streamline rural transport links to curb unwarranted price gouging.
