Chicken and egg traders in various kitchen markets across the capital, Dhaka, on Friday were seen as reluctant to comply with the government-set prices, leaving low and middle-income groups in a distressing situation.

Earlier on 15 September, the government set prices for farm eggs, Sonali chickens, and broiler chickens at the producer, wholesale, and retail levels.

The retail prices were fixed at Tk11.87 per egg, Tk269.64 per kg for Sonali chickens, and Tk179.59 per kg for broiler chickens.

During visits to Farmgate kitchen market and some local shops, the reporter found that farm eggs were being sold at Tk 14 to Tk 15 per piece, pushing the price of a dozen eggs to as high as Tk 170.

Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 190 to Tk 200 per kg, while Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk 270 to Tk 280 per kg, against the previous prices of Tk 170 to Tk 180 and Tk 260 to Tk 270, respectively.

On the other hand, the market has witnessed a Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg increase in the price of several vegetables compared to the previous week.

The vegetable traders attribute the price hike to a reduced supply of vegetables caused by continuous rains over the past several days.

No vegetable items, except papaya, are being sold for less than Tk 60 per kg, potato was being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 65, bitter gourd at Tk 100, eggplant at Tk 100, pointed gourd at Tk 60, Snake gourd at Tk 60, ribbed gourd at Tk 65, sponge gourd at Tk 70 and ladyfinger at Tk 70 at the market.