B Mirror Desk : Ordinary consumers no longer have the same sense of comfort over the cost of vegetables throughout the three to four (winter season) months. Because the market no longer sells vegetables at affordable prices. Most vegetables cost more than 80 taka. Onions and poultry eggs have also become more expensive. In addition, rice continues to be offered at higher costs. After speaking with buyers and sellers during Thursday’s visits to the capital’s Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Agargaon Taltala, and Town Hall marketplaces, this information was discovered. Vegetables such as bitter gourd, patol, barbati, shajne, dhundul, jhinga, and lati were sold for above 80 taka per kilogram in mid-April of last year. Dhandas, chichinga, papaya, and brinjal cost between 50 and 60 taka each.
Yesterday, this reporter visited three markets in Dhaka and inquired about the prices of 15 types of vegetables. It can be seen that the prices of more than half, that is, eight types of vegetables are above 80 taka. For example, the price of barbati, kachur lati, patol, chichinga, brinjal and turnip is being kept at 80 to 100 taka per kg. The prices of kankrol and shajan are even higher. Kankrol is being sold at 120 taka per kg and 140-160 taka per shajan. On the other hand, bitter gourd, gourd, jhinge, dhundul, dhands and papaya are now at 60 to 80 taka per kg. Only tomatoes are among the low prices, and that too at 40-50 taka per kg. Apart from this, potatoes are being sold at 20-25 taka per kg and green chillies are being sold at 80-100 taka per kg. However, the prices of vegetables in the market were quite high at this time last year too. For example, in mid-April last year, bitter gourd, patol, barbati, shajane, dhundul, jhinge, lati—these vegetables were sold at more than 80 taka. Eggplant, papaya, yam and chichinga were priced at 50-60 taka per kg.
Regarding the high price of vegetables, Bangladesh Raw Material Store Owners Association President Md. Imran Master said, there was a large supply of vegetables in the winter season until the month of Ramadan this year; the prices were also very low. However, many farmers have suffered losses due to this. The production cost of the vegetables that are coming in now is comparatively high. Due to these reasons, the prices of vegetables are currently high at the production site.
The prices of domestic onions have increased further in the market. In the last one week, the price of onion per kg has increased by 5 taka; and in a month, this price has increased by 20-25 taka. Yesterday, onion was sold at the retail level at 60 to 65 taka per kg. In the neighborhoods, this price is slightly higher. In addition, imported onions are priced at 5 taka per kg. However, the supply of such onions is very low.
In a week, the price of farm-raised chicken eggs has increased by 5 to 10 taka per dozen. Last week, a dozen eggs were sold for 115 to 120 taka, which was 125 to 130 taka yesterday. However, the prices of broiler and golden chicken are slightly lower. On Thursday, a kg of broiler chicken was sold for 170-190 taka and golden chicken for 250-280 taka.
The price of narrow or miniket rice has not decreased in the market. Sellers said that the Boro rice season is now underway. However, so far, only two or three brands of Boro rice miniket rice have come to the market. This has not had any impact on the overall price of rice. For example, currently, miniket rice of brands like Diamond, Manjur, Sagar etc. is being sold at 88 to 90 taka per kg in retail stores. Mozammel miniket has reached 100 taka per kg. Apart from this, Nazirshail is being sold at 80-95 taka per kg, Bri-28 rice at 60 taka per kg and Swarna rice at 55 taka per kg, depending on the type.
On the other hand, on April 15, the cost of bottled soybean oil went up by 14 taka per liter to 189 taka. Sellers stated that the market’s supply of bottled soybeans is somewhat less than its demand, even with the price increase. “I felt somewhat at ease with the costs of commodities during the month of Ramadan,” Sabbir Alam, a resident of the capital’s Taltola neighborhood of Agargaon, told the reporters. Following that, one by one, the costs of eggs, soybean oil, and rice rose. Vegetable costs are also rising above the level of purchasing power. Our misery is also growing in tandem with this.
