Rice, vegs price rises sharply across Dhaka mkts

Staff Reporter:

With the monsoon just 12 days in, consumers in Dhaka are already feeling the pinch as prices of daily essentials particularly rice and vegetables have surged across major retail markets including Jatrabari, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, and Karwan Bazar.

Despite a stable supply of freshly harvested Boro paddy, rice prices have unexpectedly increased. Traders attribute the rise to a sudden hike in raw paddy prices at production sites earlier this month. This triggered a chain reaction, driving up both wholesale and retail rates for various rice varieties.

Currently, popular Miniket rice from brands like Diamond, Monjur, Sagar, and Rasid is selling for Tk 80–82 per kilogram, up from Tk 75–76 before Eid—an increase of Tk 5–6. Mozammel Miniket, another known variety, is being sold for Tk 85–90 per kg, which was around Tk 80 earlier. The price hike is raising concerns about the overall cost of living, as rice price movements often affect the broader market of daily commodities.

Coarse rice varieties have also seen a price jump. Swarna rice, for example, is now selling for Tk 55–57 per kg, a Tk 2 increase. Medium-grade BRRI-28 and BRRI-29 rice have gone up to Tk 60–62 per kg from their earlier rates of Tk 58–60. Traditionally, coarse rice would sell for around Tk 50 and medium rice between Tk 55–58 per kg.

According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), fine rice has increased by Tk 3 per kg over the past week, while coarse and medium varieties have gone up by Tk 1.

The vegetable market is also seeing a steady climb in prices. Tomatoes are currently selling at Tk 120–180 per kg, depending on the quality and location. Other vegetables such as yardlong beans (borboti), spiny gourd (kankrol), and green chilies are selling between Tk 80 and Tk 100 per kg—roughly Tk 10–20 more than the previous week. Pointed gourd (potol), sponge gourd (dhundol), snake gourd (chichinga), and okra (dherosh) are priced between Tk 40–50 per kg. Eggplants are being sold for Tk 60–100 per kg, while potatoes now cost Tk 25–30 per kg, which is Tk 5 higher than pre-Eid levels. Onions are selling at Tk 55–60 per kg.

While meat prices have remained largely unchanged, Sonali chicken is priced around Tk 300 per kg and broiler chicken between Tk 150–160. Eggs remain relatively affordable at Tk 120 per dozen, although neighborhood stores are reportedly charging slightly more.