Dhaka, Oct 10 (V7N) – The fish market in the capital is becoming increasingly unstable as supply continues to fall short of demand. Prices of canal, billfish, and farmed fish have jumped by Tk 50 to Tk 100 per kg, while vegetable prices have started to decline slightly — though the overall market remains far from comfortable.

A visit to several city markets on Friday (October 10) revealed that the ban on fishing in rivers and seas until October 26 has led to a sharp reduction in supply. With marine fish nearly absent from the market, canal-billfish and farmed varieties have become the main options for buyers.

Traders said that rui and katla fish are selling for Tk 400–450 per kg, while shrimp prices have surged to Tk 1,000–1,200 per kg. The soaring prices are putting a strain on middle-income families. “We’ve had to cut back on fish because salaries haven’t gone up,” said one customer. Another shopper added, “Prices are too high — it’s difficult to buy our preferred fish now.”

Fish vendors attributed the price hike to low supply and higher transportation and maintenance costs.

The meat market has remained relatively stable, with beef at Tk 750 per kg, mutton at Tk 1,100, broiler chicken at Tk 180, and Pakistani golden cock chicken at Tk 300–350. Eggs are steady at Tk 135 per dozen.

Rice prices also show little fluctuation: Miniket rice is selling for Tk 78–80 per kg, polao rice for Tk 120, desi lentils for Tk 150, moong dal for Tk 160, khesari for Tk 100, and boot dal for Tk 120. Among branded miniket varieties, Diamond, Manjur, and Sagar are priced at Tk 80 per kg, Rashid at Tk 72, and Mozammel at Tk 85.

Vegetable prices have fallen slightly — by about Tk 20–30 per kg for some items — but remain high overall. Green chilies now cost Tk 200 per kg, down from Tk 300 last week, while round brinjal is selling for Tk 180 per kg. Vegetables like bitter gourd, bottle gourd, and fenugreek, previously priced above Tk 100, are now around Tk 80 per kg. Early winter vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage are also being sold at Tk 80 per kg.

In the spice market, prices remain mixed. Raisins are priced at Tk 800 per kg, plums at Tk 700, cardamom at Tk 4,800–5,200, cloves at Tk 1,700–1,800, cumin at Tk 700, and pepper at Tk 1,700.

Meanwhile, onion prices remain unchanged at Tk 80 per kg, but imported garlic and ginger have seen sharp increases — selling for Tk 180 and Tk 220 per kg, respectively.

END/SMA/AJ