NomanMosharef :
The price of daily commodities particularly fish, the most desired one of the Bengali people, has surpassed beyond the purchasing capacity of middle and lower income group putting a mounting pressure on their livelihood.
Market sources said the monsoon is being considered ‘flogging a dead horse’ as the traders usually blame rain for hiking the essentials price. Recently occurred floods in few areas also contributed to the price hiking.
Over the past few days, fish prices across the capital have surged dramatically – and at the heart of the storm are two iconic species: the royal Hilsa, and the humble Pangasius, long known as the “poor man’s fish.”
The crown jewel of Bengali cuisine, Hilsa (Ilish), is now commanding prices that few middle-class families can afford.
At New Market on Friday afternoon, Hilsa weighing over one kilogram was being sold for as much as Tk 2,600-a price that has left regular consumers stunned.
“I came to buy some Hilsa for a family lunch, but when I saw the price, I nearly walked away,” said Harun Ahmed, a schoolteacher and regular fish buyer. “It used to be special-occasion food. Now, even that occasion feels too expensive.”
Once a staple during festivals and everyday meals alike, Hilsa has become increasingly inaccessible. Vendors attribute the spike to reduced supply from rivers and estuaries, particularly from the Padma and Meghna, where catch volumes have dipped due to erratic weather patterns and overfishing.
Continuous rainfall over the past week has further disrupted transportation and market supply chains, compounding the scarcity.
Even more telling is the rising cost of Pangasius, a farmed fish that earned its nickname as the “fish for the poor” due to its affordability and wide availability. But now, large Pangasius is being sold for Tk 280 per kilogram – a significant jump from the TK 180-200 range just a month ago.
“This isn’t just about Hilsa anymore,” said Rubayet, a fish vendor at New Market. “Even the cheaper fish are getting expensive. I brought a small batch today (Friday), and most of it sold quickly. But people are complaining – they’re not buying as much.”
For low- and middle-income households, the price hike in Pangasius marks a turning point. Traditionally seen as a budget-friendly protein source, its rising cost signals a broader crisis in food affordability.
A walk through the New Market fish stalls reveals a troubling trend across species: Katla (6 kg):Tk 700 /kg; Katla (10-11 kg): Tk 850 /kg; Small shrimp: TK 600-700/kg; Bronze Featherback (Foli or Folui): Tk 450/kg; Pabda:Tk 450/kg; and Tilapia: Tk 220/kg.
Vendors point to a confluence of factors behind the surge: reduced supply, persistent rain, and disrupted logistics. “The rain since morning has kept buyers away,” said one seller. “But the real issue is the fish isn’t coming in like before. We’re getting smaller shipments, so prices go up.”
On the other hand, the prices of eggs, chicken, and onions have increased, while rice and various vegetables are still being sold at their already inflated rates.
After visiting several markets in Dhaka including Shahjadpur, Badda, Notun Bazar, and Rampura – revealed that a dozen farm eggs are now selling for Tk130-135. Just a week ago, they were priced at Tk120-125, marking a Tk10 increase per dozen.
Broiler chicken is currently being sold at Tk170-180 per kg, while Sonali chicken is selling for Tk310-320 per kg – about Tk10 more than last week.
Abdul Matin, an egg seller in Shahjadpur, explained that the demand for eggs typically rises when the prices of other items go up, which in turn pushes up wholesale prices.
In addition, continuous and heavy rainfall across various parts of the country throughout July has disrupted vegetable production, affecting market supply. For several weeks now, vegetable prices have remained high. Most vegetables are selling for Tk80-100 per kg. Items like eggplant, ridge gourd, taro stem, and bitter gourd fall within this price range.
Tomatoes are selling for Tk160-200 per kg, while green chilies are priced at Tk200-240 per kg. Okra and pointed gourd are selling at Tk60-80 per kg. Papaya, however, remains relatively affordable at Tk30-40 per kg. Potatoes are being sold at Tk25-30 per kg.
Onion prices have also increased by Tk10 per kg over the last two weeks and are now selling for Tk65-70 per kg. Md Babul Mia, a wholesale onion seller at Karwan Bazar, said that the increase is minor and expected during this season. When wholesale prices go up, they are forced to buy at higher rates as well.
The price of rice has remained high since Eid-ul-Adha and shows no signs of decreasing. Medium-grade varieties like BRRI-28 and Pajam are selling for Tk60-64 per kg. Branded Miniket rice, such as Diamond, Sagar, and Manjur, is priced at Tk80 per kg, while Mozammel-brand Miniket is selling at Tk85-90 per kg.
Zahidul Islam, a security guard at a private firm in Gulshan, said, “Everything is getting more expensive. Prices are going up slowly but never seem to come down. I calculated and found that I’m spending Tk800-Tk1, 000 more per sack of rice now. Vegetables, eggs, chicken, fish – everything is costly. After paying rent in Dhaka, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to afford basic living expenses.”
