Dhaka, Dec 13 (V7N)- The vegetable market in Dhaka is showing signs of recovery, with an increased supply of winter vegetables bringing down prices. Most vegetables are now available at Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kilogram. However, certain items, such as bitter gourd and tomatoes, remain costly, priced above Tk 100 per kilogram. Vendors anticipate further price drops in the coming week.

The onion market has also witnessed a slight reprieve due to the supply of imported onions. Domestic onions are now selling at Tk 110 per kilogram, while imported ones are priced at Tk 90 per kilogram. Despite the arrival of new potatoes, the price of old potatoes continues to rise, with old potatoes being sold at Tk 75 per kilogram and new ones at Tk 90.

A vendor attributed the high onion prices to syndicate control, stating, "Many onions are still stored in warehouses. Even the sprouting onions now being sold at reduced rates could have been priced lower earlier if not for the syndicate's influence."

Fish Prices Remain Steep
While the vegetable market shows promise, fish prices remain significantly high despite the season's peak supply. Markets are stocked with fish from rivers, canals, and streams, alongside ample sea fish. However, buyers are grappling with elevated prices.

Farmed fish such as tilapia and pangasius are available at around Tk 200 per kilogram, but most other varieties are priced between Tk 500 and Tk 600 per kilogram. Premium river fish, including shrimp, aider, and boal, exceed Tk 1,000 per kilogram, while hilsa remains an expensive delicacy at Tk 2,000 per kilogram.

One buyer expressed frustration, saying, "Fish prices should have decreased by now, but they remain beyond my budget. I’m buying less fish and focusing on vegetables instead."

The contrasting trends in vegetable and fish markets highlight the ongoing challenges for consumers striving to balance their budgets amid fluctuating prices.

END/MSS/AJ