Staff Reporter :
The prices of rice, chicken, and eggs have increased, while vegetable prices have seen a downward trend in various markets across Dhaka.
During visits to kitchen markets in Lalbagh, Hazaribagh, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, and Karwan Bazar on Friday, it was found that the prices of different varieties of rice had risen by Tk 2-6 per kilogram at the retail level.
Additionally, the prices of broiler chicken and eggs have also gone up, whereas the prices of various vegetables have decreased.
In the markets, coarse rice (Swarna/28) was being sold at Tk 52-60 per kg, up from Tk 50-54 just two weeks ago. Similarly, the price of fine rice increased by Tk 2-6 per kg. The wholesale price of rice also saw an increase of Tk 2-3 per kg.
Zainal Abedin, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Auto Rice and Husking Mill Owners Association in Kushtia, explained, “The demand for rice has significantly increased due to the floods, and the price of paddy has risen by Tk 100 per 50 kg-sack.”
The price of broiler chicken, which was Tk 160-170 per kg two weeks ago, has now increased to Tk 170-180 per kg, with some markets charging an additional Tk 10. Sonali chicken has also seen a price hike of Tk 10 per kg, now selling at Tk 250-260 per kg.
Egg prices have also surged, with brown broiler eggs increasing by Tk 5 per dozen, now being sold at Tk 155-160 per dozen. White broiler eggs are priced at Tk 150 per dozen. The prices of potatoes and onions have remained high for several months.
Potatoes are currently selling for Tk 55-60 per kg, and local varieties of onions are priced at Tk 110-120 per kg. According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), potato prices are 29 per cent higher compared to the same period last year, while local onion prices are 35 per cent higher.
In response, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has reduced import duties to lower the prices of potatoes and onions. The existing 25 per cent duty on potato imports has been cut to 15 per cent, and the 3 per cent regulatory duty on potatoes and 5 per cent on onions have been completely withdrawn.
Meanwhile, the prices of several vegetables have decreased by Tk 10-20 per kg compared to last week. Aubergines were being sold for Tk 70-90 per kg on Thursday, down from Tk 80-110 last week. Long beans also saw a reduction of Tk 20 per kg, selling at Tk 80 per kg.
Other vegetables, such as bitter gourd, spiny gourd, tomatoes, and papaya, have also seen price reductions, while prices for the remaining vegetables have remained unchanged. Green chillies saw a significant decrease of Tk 20 per kg, selling for Tk 180-200 per kg.
Fish prices, including rui, tilapia, and pangas, remained steady. Rui (farm) was selling for Tk 300-330 per kg, tilapia for Tk 200-220 per kg, and pangas for Tk 180-200 per kg. However, the price of hilsa (weighing 1 kg) dropped by Tk 150-200 per kg, being sold at Tk 1,500-1,600 on Thursday.