Dhaka, Sep 11 (V7N)- Unease continues in Dhaka’s kitchen markets as the prices of vegetables, fish and eggs remain high, with consumers facing fresh price increases almost every week.

Green chili, which sold for around Tk 120 per kilogram last week, is now being offered for Tk 160 in Friday’s market. The price of tal begun (a variety of eggplant) has also increased by Tk 40, with the vegetable selling for Tk 160–170 per kilogram.

Bottle gourd is also becoming increasingly expensive, with consumers having to pay more than Tk 80 for a single piece. Prices of cucumber, tomato and bitter gourd have also risen. Pointed gourd, ridge gourd and snake gourd are currently selling for around Tk 60–70 per kilogram.

Traders blame the latest increases on reduced supply. However, consumers allege that sellers are setting prices arbitrarily because of inadequate monitoring of the market.

The situation is similarly difficult in the fish market. Freshwater river fish, once considered an occasional choice for low-income families, is now largely beyond their reach, with prices ranging from Tk 800 to Tk 1,000 or more per kilogram. As a result, many consumers are turning to farmed fish.

But prices of farmed fish have also increased. Buyers are paying an additional Tk 40–50 per kilogram, while a kilogram of Rui or Katla is now selling for no less than Tk 400–450. The rising prices are making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to maintain adequate sources of protein in their diets.

Hilsa is available in the markets, but high prices have kept many buyers away. A 700–800 gram hilsa is selling for around Tk 2,000 per kilogram, while fish weighing about one kilogram can cost more than Tk 3,000.

Meanwhile, egg prices have remained unusually high for more than a month. A dozen eggs are currently selling for around Tk 150, despite no apparent shortage in supply.

Traders attribute the high egg prices to poultry deaths caused by load-shedding and extreme heat, which they say are affecting production. Consumers, however, remain unconvinced by the explanation and are demanding closer market monitoring to prevent unjustified price increases.

The continued rise in prices of essential food items is putting additional pressure on household budgets, particularly for low- and fixed-income families already struggling with higher living costs.

END/SMA/AJ