Mst. Morium
The prices of several essential food items have continued to rise in Dhaka markets, putting further strain on low- and fixed-income families already struggling with the high cost of living.
Eggs, fish, chicken, sugar and flour have been selling at elevated prices for weeks, while bottled soybean oil has now become costlier. Prices of several common vegetables have also increased by Tk 10-20 a kilogram over the past week.
The situation was observed during visits to several kitchen markets in the capital on Saturday morning.
Consumers alleged that some unscrupulous traders and middlemen were using the government’s announcement of a new pay scale for public servants as an excuse to raise prices.
Chicken, eggs remain expensive
Broiler chicken was selling for Tk 195-200 per kilogram, unchanged from last week, while Sonali chicken was priced at Tk 320-340.
A dozen red eggs cost Tk 150, compared with Tk 130-140 previously. Consumers said egg prices have remained high for more than a month.
Beef was selling for Tk 750-800 per kilogram and mutton for Tk 1,150-1,300.
A litre of bottled soybean oil has become Tk 5 more expensive. However, prices of loose soybean and palm oil remained unchanged.
In some markets, retailers were found selling old stocks of bottled soybean oil at the new price, even though bottles carrying the revised price had yet to reach the market.
Flour, sugar also dearer
Flour prices have risen steadily in recent weeks. A two-kilogram packet was selling for Tk 130, while loose flour cost Tk 50 a kilogram, up from Tk 45.
Retail sugar prices stood at Tk 120-125 a kilogram, compared with around Tk 110 a month ago.
Fish prices also remained beyond the reach of many consumers.
Tilapia was selling for Tk 250-260 a kilogram, pangas Tk 230-250, and rui and katla Tk 380-420. Shrimp cost Tk 1,000-1,300, while pabda was priced at Tk 400-500.
Tengra was selling for around Tk 700, vetki Tk 400-550, baim Tk 600-800 and wild koi Tk 700-800. Hilsa prices ranged from Tk 1,200 to Tk 2,400 a kilogram, depending on size.
Vegetable prices rise
For low-income households, vegetables and eggs are among the mainstays of their daily diet. But rising prices of both are adding to their financial burden.
Brinjal, bitter gourd, yardlong beans, okra, pointed gourd and teasel gourd were selling for Tk 70-110 a kilogram.
Green chilli saw one of the sharpest increases, rising to Tk 160 a kilogram from Tk 120 last week.
Long brinjal was selling for Tk 100, round brinjal Tk 120 and tomatoes Tk 120-140 a kilogram. Yardlong beans, ridge gourd and bitter gourd cost around Tk 80.
Bottle gourd was selling for Tk 50-70 apiece, while taro cost around Tk 80 a kilogram.
Early-season beans, now appearing in the markets, were selling for Tk 180-200 a kilogram.
Papaya remained one of the cheapest vegetables at Tk 40 a kilogram. Cucumber was available for Tk 50-60, although local varieties cost Tk 80-100.
Prices of leafy vegetables remained relatively stable. Red amaranth and water spinach were selling for Tk 10 a bunch, stem amaranth Tk 30-40, Malabar spinach Tk 30-50, bottle-gourd leaves Tk 40-60 and taro leaves Tk 25-30.
With prices of several essentials continuing to climb, consumers said the government needs to strengthen market monitoring and take action against traders manipulating prices.
They said unchecked price increases were making it increasingly difficult for ordinary households to maintain their daily food expenses.
