Highlights:
- Chinese garlic rises Tk30 to Tk180 per kg
- Hybrid onion prices increase Tk10 per kg, local onions Tk5
- Winter vegetables sell for Tk80-160 per kg
- Green chilli prices ease to Tk120-140 per kg
- Eggs fall to Tk145-150 per dozen
Ginger prices in Dhaka's kitchen markets have surged by Tk50-60 per kg in two days, while onions and garlic have also become more expensive.
Meanwhile, vegetable prices also remain high despite the arrival of early winter produce, though egg prices have fallen slightly.
A visit to the kitchen markets in Hatirpool, New Market and Lalbagh on Friday (16 October) found Chinese ginger selling at Tk190 per kg, up from Tk130-140 last Wednesday.
Md Yusuf, a seller in Lalbagh, said he bought ginger at Tk130 per kg on Wednesday but paid Tk170-180 per kg on Friday.
"That too wet ginger. Once it dries, its weight will decrease further. How will I do business then?" he said.
Yusuf questioned the sudden price hike, saying supplies appeared adequate even in wholesale markets.
Compared with last Monday, hybrid onion prices have risen by Tk10 per kg and local onions by Tk5. Chinese garlic has increased by Tk30 to Tk180 per kg.
Today, hybrid and local onions were selling at around Tk60 per kg, depending on size and quality. Local garlic was priced at Tk100 per kg.
Early winter vegetables remain expensive
Early winter vegetables, including beans, cauliflower and radish, have started arriving in Dhaka's markets, but prices remain high. Most vegetables, except papaya and pumpkin, are selling at Tk80 per kg or more, while tomatoes have reached Tk200 per kg in some markets.
A market survey found cauliflower, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, taro, pointed gourd, radish and okra selling at Tk80 per kg. Aubergine and spiny gourd were priced at Tk100, while beans cost Tk160 per kg.
Tomatoes were selling at Tk180-200 per kg, and cauliflower at Tk70 a piece. Papaya was available at Tk30 per kg and pumpkin at Tk50, while bottle gourd cost Tk40-60 a piece, depending on size.
Green chilli prices have eased somewhat, with the vegetable selling at Tk120-140 per kg, depending on quality.
Tarek, a vegetable seller in Lalbagh, said supplies of winter vegetables remained insufficient, keeping prices high. He expected prices to fall gradually if supplies increased.
Eggs cheaper, meat prices remain high
Farm chicken eggs, which reached Tk160 per dozen about two weeks ago, have fallen to Tk145-150. Duck eggs were selling at Tk180-185 per dozen.
Broiler chicken was priced at Tk175-185 per kg, cock chicken at Tk300-310, layer chicken at Tk340 and local chicken at Tk650. Beef was selling at Tk800 per kg and mutton at Tk1,250.
Jasim Miah, an egg seller in Lalbagh, said prices had fallen slightly and could decline further as winter approached.
Fish prices remain high
Fish prices also remained beyond the reach of some buyers. Rui was selling at Tk350-600 per kg and katla at Tk300-550, depending on size and weight.
Kalibaus was priced at Tk500-800 per kg, shrimp at Tk800-1,600 and koi at Tk220-250. Pabda was selling at Tk400-600 per kg, while farmed shing cost Tk300-450, depending on size.