Vegetable, egg, chicken prices skyrocket as excessive rain squeezes supply

Vegetable prices have jumped significantly in the kitchen markets in the capital over the past few days as traders said supply disruptions caused by continuous rainfall drove up the prices, while chicken prices remained high as before. 

Prices of almost all types of vegetables have risen by Tk30 to Tk40 per kg over the past two weeks. Except for two or three items, almost every vegetable in the market has now hit the century mark. 

However, the greatest volatility has been observed in the green chilli market, within just a few days, the retail price of green chillies has surged to Tk400-450 per kg.

While visiting different kitchen markets at Mirpru, Mohammadpur and other areas of the capital, it was seen that depending on quality, chillies sold for Tk400 per kg. A couple of weeks ago, green chillies sold at Tk150 to Tk200 per kg.

In these markets, brinjal sold at Tk120-160 per kg, tomatoes at Tk160-200 per kg and bitter gourd at Tk100-140 per kg, depending on quality.

Pointed gourd, okra, teasel gourd and ridge gourd were sold at around Tk80 per kg. Papaya sold at around Tk40-50 per kg and potatoes at Tk30 per kg. Onion prices increased by Tk10 per kg within a week, standing at Tk55- 60 per kg. 

Taro stems and taro corms were sold at Tk80-100 per kg, while cucumbers and yardlong beans sold at Tk100 per kg each. Carrots were selling for Tk140 per kg and pumpkins for Tk60 per kg.

A set of four lemons sold at Tk15-30, green bananas at around Tk50. Bottle gourds were priced at Tk60-80 each, and capsicum was selling for Tk350 per kg.

Fish prices jump

Prices of fish, broiler chicken and eggs increased again in the capital’s markets this week, with the fish market witnessing the sharpest rise. In particular, marine fish have become almost unaffordable for ordinary consumers, with no marine fish available for less than Tk1,000 per kg.

Market visits showed that prices of farmed pangas, tilapia, rohu, catla, mrigal and poa fish increased by around Tk30 per kg within a week. Live pangas sold at Tk230 per kg and tilapia at Tk260 per kg on the weekend.

Depending on quality, shrimp sold at Tk800-900 per kg, pabda at Tk350-400, rohu at Tk300-450 depending on size, and tengra at Tk700 per kg. Besides, vetki was selling for Tk400-550 per kg, mrigal at Tk250-300, baim at Tk600-800, indigenous koi at Tk700-800, farmed koi at Tk300, poa at Tk260, and shol fish at Tk700 per kg. Depending on size, farmed shing fish sold at Tk300 to Tk450 per kg. 

Depending on quality and size, hilsa sold for Tk1,600 to Tk 3,200 per kg, white pomfret at Tk1,200-1,300, red coral fish for Tk1,000-1,200, marine surma fish for Tk700, and tuna for Tk850-1,000 per kg. 

Egg prices have also increased alongside fish. Compared with last week, the price of farm eggs rose by Tk10-15 per dozen, currently selling at Tk145-155 per dozen.

Meanwhile, beef prices remained stable, it was selling for Tk750-800 per kg. Mutton was selling for Tk1,100-1,200 per kg.
Broiler chicken sold at Tk190 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk330 per kg. 
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