Prices of vegetables and fish have declined in Dhaka's kitchen markets as supplies of early winter produce increase and demand weakens during the Durga Puja holidays, while chicken and eggs remain expensive.
A visit to New Market, Lalbagh, Karwan Bazar and other kitchen markets in the capital today (22 October) found the trend.
Early winter vegetables bring relief
Early-season beans are selling at Tk140–150 per kg, down from Tk180 last week. Long eggplants have fallen by up to Tk40 to Tk80 per kg, while green chillies are selling at Tk130 per kg, down Tk20.
White round eggplants cost Tk100 per kg. Tomatoes, however, have risen by Tk20 to Tk150–160 per kg.
Cauliflower is selling at Tk60 per piece, while pointed gourds and okra cost Tk60 per kg. Ridge gourds, teasel gourds and bitter gourds are selling at Tk80 per kg, carrots at Tk100 and cucumbers at Tk70–80.
Papaya remains the cheapest vegetable at Tk30 per kg. Bottle gourds cost Tk50–60 each, depending on size, while four lemons sell for Tk60.
Tarek Hossain, a vegetable seller in Lalbagh, said wholesale supplies of early winter vegetables had started increasing, bringing prices down.
"Prices will become more affordable as supplies increase further," he said.
Fish prices fall as holiday demand weakens
Fish prices have also declined as the Durga Puja holidays have reduced the number of shoppers in the capital, according to traders.
Large rohu is selling at Tk350–360 per kg, katla at Tk400–420, pangas at Tk200 and pabda at Tk360. Prices of other small indigenous fish have also eased.
Rashedul Islam, who was shopping for fish at New Market, said he had bought large rohu for Tk450 per kg four or five days earlier but found it at Tk350 today.
Fish sellers said many residents had left Dhaka for their home districts during the holidays. With fewer customers and adequate supplies, prices had come under pressure.
Chicken and eggs remain expensive
Chicken and egg prices have remained high despite the easing of vegetable and fish prices.
Broiler chicken is selling at Tk180 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk310–320 and layer chicken at Tk350–360.
Chicken sellers said high wholesale prices and supply costs had prevented them from lowering retail prices.
Eggs are selling at Tk150 per dozen. Traders said prices fluctuate daily, with no immediate indication of a decline.
Grocery prices largely unchanged
Prices of most grocery items have remained broadly stable compared with last week.
Packaged polao rice is selling at Tk230 per kg, while loose polao rice costs Tk160–200, depending on quality.
Small lentils cost Tk140–150 per kg, coarse lentils Tk90, large mung beans Tk140, small mung beans Tk170, khesari dal Tk85, chickpeas Tk120, gram Tk105 and black gram Tk180.
Bottled soybean oil is selling at Tk205 per litre, while loose soybean oil costs Tk200 per kg and loose mustard oil Tk220 per litre.
Both packaged and loose ghee cost Tk1,400 per kg, sugar Tk110 per kg, a two-kg packet of flour Tk170 and a two-kg packet of atta Tk140.