Dhaka, Oct 17 (V7N) – Traders and government officials have attributed the rising prices of vegetables in Dhaka's markets to continuous rainfall, flooding, and the lean season for production.

According to Md Masud Karim, Director General of the Department of Agricultural Marketing, the current off-season for vegetable production, combined with floods damaging farmland in 13 districts, has resulted in reduced supply, leading to a significant price increase. Karim expressed optimism that prices might decline next month.

The government has introduced measures to alleviate the financial burden on citizens, including selling essential items like eggs, potatoes, onions, papayas, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, green chilies, arum (kochur mukhi), and gourd at subsidized rates in city markets.

Traders supported Karim’s explanation, citing mismanagement, relentless rain, floods, and the lean season as key factors contributing to the surge in vegetable prices. In Dhaka’s Nawabganj and Palashi markets, potatoes are selling for Tk55 per kg, green chilies for Tk400 per kg, brinjal for Tk140-180 per kg, snake gourd for Tk80 per kg, and bitter gourd for Tk120-100 per kg. Other vegetables like cucumber, tomato, cauliflower, and onions have also seen sharp price increases.

Md Sabuj, a vegetable seller at Nawabganj market, mentioned that he sells vegetables for Tk15-20 more per kg than the wholesale market price due to the cost of buying from Kawran Bazar wholesale market.

A buyer commented that vegetable prices typically rise during the autumn lean period, but the situation has worsened this year due to rain and flood damage, causing financial strain on consumers. They also blamed middlemen for exacerbating the price hike and called on the government to enforce strict monitoring of markets to prevent price manipulation.

END/MSS/AJ