Staff Reporter;
As the holy month of Ramadan begins, vegetable prices across the capital have witnessed a sharp rise, causing distress among consumers, particularly those from low- and middle-income groups.
A market survey on Sunday revealed that the prices of essentials such as aubergine, cucumber, and lemon have reached record highs. The price of aubergine, which was Tk 60-80 per kg just days ago, has surged to Tk 100-120 per kg.”Vegetable prices typically rise at the beginning of Ramadan, but they are expected to stabilize soon,” said Abu Salam, a vegetable vendor at Malibagh market.
Lemons have seen one of the most significant price hikes, now selling at Tk 80-120 per four-piece unit.
Prices vary by type, with Elachi lemons priced at Tk 70-80 per unit, Kagzi lemons at Tk 80-90, and Sharbat lemons at Tk 100-120.Similarly, cucumbers are now selling at Tk 90-110 per kg. However, tomato prices have remained relatively stable at Tk 40-50 per kg.
Other vegetables, including bottle gourd, beans, ridge gourd, papaya, cauliflower, and bitter gourd, have retained their previous prices.
Despite an increase in date imports, which has resulted in a price reduction of Tk 100-400 per kg, other fruits have become more expensive. Watermelons, newly arrived in the market, are selling at Tk 50-60 per kg, while oranges and apples are priced at Tk 280-300 per kg and Tk 300-320 per kg, respectively.
Guava prices range from Tk 60-80 per kg, melons are priced at Tk 50-100 per piece, and green coconuts are being sold at Tk 120-180 per piece.
Meanwhile, the prices of potatoes and onions have also increased slightly. Onions are selling at Tk 45-50 per kg, while potatoes have seen a rise of Tk 10-15 per kg. The lentil market has followed suit, with large-grain lentils priced at Tk 110 per kg and small-grain lentils at Tk 140 per kg. Chickpeas, an essential item for Ramadan, are being sold at Tk 130-140 per kg for locally produced varieties and Tk 180 per kg for Pakistani double chickpeas.
Gram flour is available at Tk 180-200 per kg.Cooking Oil CrisisDespite Ramadan commencing, the supply of soybean oil remains disrupted.
Vendors report ongoing contact with suppliers but say the expected stabilisation of the oil supply has yet to materialise. Poultry prices have increased by Tk 10-20 per kg, with Sonali chicken now selling for Tk 260-300 per kg, broiler chicken at Tk 200 per kg, and local chicken at Tk 460-500 per kg.Beef prices have risen by Tk 20-40 per kg, now standing at Tk 800 per kg across various markets.
Fish prices have also surged, with prawns being sold at Tk 800-1,200 per kg, Rui fish at Tk 320-340 per kg, and Katla fish at Tk 350-380 per kg. Poa fish is available at Tk 500-600 per kg, Pabda at Tk 350-400 per kg, Tilapia at Tk 200-240 per kg, Shing fish at Tk 450-550 per kg, and Rupchanda at Tk 1,200-1,500 per kg.
While vendors expect prices to stabilise in the coming days, consumers are calling for stricter market monitoring to prevent artificial price hikes and ensure fair pricing of essential commodities during Ramadan.
Authorities have conducted drives in Dhaka’s kitchen markets to monitor prices, but buyers are demanding more stringent measures to curb market manipulation and ease the financial strain on consumers during the holy month.
