Staff Reporter :
The prices of green chilies and cucumbers surged by 60-80 percent due to increased demand for Eid-ul-Adha and a decline in supply, said traders.
The price of green chilies reached Tk 400 per kg in various retail markets, up from Tk 180-200 before Eid. Similarly, cucumber prices rose to Tk 140 per kg from Tk 80.
On the other hand, the price of broiler chicken, a common protein source for low- and middle-income groups, has increased by 5.71 percent from last week, presumably due to a lack of supply against demand.
Broiler chicken was selling for Tk 180 to Tk 190 per kilogramme in Dhaka’s kitchen markets yesterday, three days past Eid, according to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). It was Tk 170 to Tk 180 a week ago.
Besides, prices of beef, mutton, and eggs remain high in Dhaka’s kitchen markets, despite demand falling as holidaymakers return to the city.
Market insiders said that the prices of different essentials and vegetables soared due to a supply chain disruption during the Eid holidays. Additionally, a group of syndicates has increased the prices of meat, eggs, and vegetables after Eid as market monitoring agencies relaxed for the holidays, according to the insiders.
Romij Uddin, a wholesaler at Karwan Bazar, said on Friday that only a small number of vegetable trucks had arrived, compared to the usual 40 to 50 trucks. Ali Hossain, a retailer in the Mogbazar area, mentioned that he bought cucumbers at Tk 600 per palla (5 kg) and green chilies at Tk 1200 per palla from Karwan Bazar, necessitating higher prices for resale.
A visit to different kitchen markets, including Karwan Bazar, Mohakhali, Malibagh, and Hatirpool, revealed few customers, yet vegetables, meat, eggs, and chicken were selling at higher prices. The price of farm eggs jumped by Tk 15 per dozen, selling at Tk 165 to 170. Eggs from domestically reared hens were selling at Tk 75 to 80 per hali (4 pieces), and duck eggs were selling at Tk 70 to 75 per hali.
Pakistani-origin Sonali chicken prices increased by Tk 10 to 15 per kg and were being sold at Tk 345 to 370 per kg based on size and quality. Similarly, cock chicken was being sold at Tk 370 to 390 per kg, layer chicken at Tk 280 to Tk 320 per kg, and indigenous (desi) chicken at Tk 700 to 770 per kg. Traders attributed the price increase to a short supply and high sales during Eid.
Beef is being sold at Tk 800-850 per kg, while mutton (khashi) is priced at Tk 1,050 to 1,200 per kg and goat meat at Tk 1,000 per kg. Buyers complained about the lack of regular market monitoring, which allows traders to increase prices arbitrarily. Traders noted that demand for broiler chicken typically falls after Eid al-Azha, but this year the prices have not decreased as expected. Regular market raids could help reduce the exploitation by unscrupulous traders.
Vegetables like brinjal were selling between Tk 60 to 70 per kg, bottle gourd, ash gourd, and cauliflower at Tk 50 to 60 per piece. Green chili was selling at Tk 360 to 400 per kg, and cucumber at Tk 120 and above per kg. Local onions were priced between Tk 90 to 100 per kg, garlic at Tk 220 to 260, and ginger at Tk 320 to 360 per kg based on quality.