Dhaka, Jan 24 (V7N) –Due to the ample supply of winter vegetables, the vegetable market in Dhaka has stabilized significantly.
However, the scenario is quite the opposite in the market for fish, meat and other daily necessities.
According to traders, the price of meat may increase further before Shab-e-Barat.
This information was gathered during a visit to the Mirpur-1 kitchen market in the capital on Friday.
Currently, the prices of almost all vegetables are within a reasonable range, bringing relief to consumers.
On Friday, tomatoes are being sold at Tk40 per kg, carrots at Tk40, beans at Tk30–40, long eggplants at Tk40, white round eggplants at Tk50, black round eggplants at Tk50–60, cucumbers at Tk30–40, bitter gourds at Tk70, papayas at Tk40, radishes at Tk20, red radishes at Tk30, turnips at Tk20, ladyfingers at Tk70, pointed gourds at Tk80, ridge gourds at Tk60, snake gourds at Tk60, yardlong beans at Tk60–70, onion stalks at Tk20, taro stems at Tk80, taro roots at Tk80, pumpkins at Tk30, green chilies at Tk50–60, and coriander leaves at Tk50 per kg.
Depending on quality, bottle gourds are priced at Tk60–70 each, white pumpkins at Tk40–50, cauliflowers at Tk20 and cabbages at Tk20 each.
Additionally, raw bananas are priced at Tk25 per four pieces, while lemons are sold at Tk25–30 per set of four.
Compared to last week, the prices of most vegetables have dropped by Tk10–30 per kg, while some have remained unchanged.
Shahed Ahmed, a buyer, expressed his satisfaction, saying: "The prices of vegetables have dropped significantly. It should always stay this way. Such prices ensure everyone can afford to eat and live properly.”
Vendor Md Shah Alam said: "The quality of vegetables is excellent now and the prices are reasonable. Previously, we used to buy vegetables at higher prices, and they were not as fresh as they are now.”
The prices of all varieties of potatoes have decreased, along with a drop in the price of Chinese ginger.
On Friday, new local onions are sold at Tk50–55 per kg, with smaller onions priced at Tk50 and larger ones at Tk55.
New white potatoes are available at Tk25 per kg, red potatoes at Tk25, and Bogra potatoes at Tk30–35 per kg.
Local garlic is priced at Tk240 per kg, Chinese garlic at Tk220–230, Chinese ginger at Tk200–220, and new Indian ginger at Tk120 per kg.
Compared to last week, the price of new white potatoes has decreased by Tk5–10 per kg, red potatoes by Tk5–10, and Bogra potatoes by Tk15–20.
Additionally, Chinese ginger prices have dropped by Tk20–40 per kg.
Meat market stands firm amid price increase
Although the prices of broiler and cock chickens have slightly decreased, they remain far from satisfactory.
Meanwhile, the prices of beef and mutton remain unchanged, as do those of layer and local chickens.
On Friday, beef is sold at Tk780 per kg, while mutton is priced at Tk1,150 per kg.
Depending on weight, broiler chicken is priced at Tk193–200 per kg, cock chicken at Tk305–315, layer chicken at Tk288–290, and local chicken at Tk550 per kg.
Farm chicken eggs (both red and white) are sold at Tk130 per dozen.
Compared to last week, broiler chicken prices have decreased by Tk3–10 per kg and cock chicken by Tk15–35 per kg.
However the prices of beef, mutton, local chicken, and layer chicken remain unchanged, as do egg prices.
Vendor Shahjahan explained: “Prices have decreased, but they fluctuate. We cannot control this; we sell at a slight profit margin above the purchase price.”
Meat sellers said the usual reasons for high beef and mutton prices: higher demand and lower supply.
They also predicted further price hikes before Shab-e-Barat.
On Friday, fish prices were as follows: hilsa at Tk700–2,200 per kg, rohu at Tk350–550, katla at Tk400–600, kalibaus at Tk450–600, shrimp at Tk800–1,500, kachki at Tk400, koi at Tk220–1,200, pabda at Tk400–600, shing at Tk400–1,000, tengra at Tk500–800, boal at Tk600–1,200, shol at Tk800–1,100, meni at Tk600–700, chital at Tk600–900, sarputi at Tk250–400, and rupchanda at Tk800–1,200 per kg.
Grocery market remains unchanged
Grocery prices have remained stable, except for chickpeas, which have dropped by Tk10 per kg.
Small lentils are priced at Tk135 per kg, coarse lentils at Tk110, large mung beans at Tk140, small mung beans at Tk170, khesari at Tk110, chickpea lentils at Tk135, mash beans at Tk190, split peas at Tk70 and chickpeas at Tk120.
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Packet polao rice costs Tk150 per kg, while loose polao rice ranges between Tk110–140. Bottled soybean oil is priced at Tk175 per liter, loose soybean oil at Tk157, packet sugar at Tk125 per kg, loose sugar at Tk125, two-kilogram flour packets at Tk150, two-kilogram atta packets at Tk115 and mustard oil at Tk190 per liter.
However, the supply of soybean oil has not yet normalized.
Vendors claim companies are linking the sale of oil with other products, which limits their ability to sell oil properly.
Md Selim, a vendor at Selim General Store, commented: "We are still unable to sell soybean oil as usual. Companies are not supplying us as before, and they are forcing us to purchase other products to get oil.”
END/MSS/AJ
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