The vegetable market is now fairly stable as there is an adequate supply of winter vegetables. Also, the prices of eggs, fish and meat have not increased again. Even so, the weekly market is not becoming enjoyable for the common buyers; rice and chicken have to be bought at high prices. Many people are worried about the price increase in the coming Ramadan.

On Friday (January 24), this image was seen in different markets of the capital.

The sellers say that the rice market has been on the rise for several months. In addition to the busy season of Aman, several initiatives including reduction of customs duties and imports are not working. Various types of rice have increased by Tk 5-6 per kg depending on the standard.

Saru or miniket rice, famous for middle class rice, is being sold at Tk 80 to Tk 82 per kg. The poor’s thick or small golden rice is also being sold at 60-62 taka per kg.

Apart from this, the retail price of Nazirshail variety rice is 85 to 90 taka depending on the quality. A kg of medium or Bri-28 and Payjam rice is being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 66. No rice is available below 60 taka in the market in Jatrabari.

Meanwhile, like rice, the chicken market has been bullish for several weeks. Broiler chickens are now selling at Tk 200 to Tk 220 per kg. The price of Sonali variety chicken has also increased by 30 taka per kg. If you want to buy this breed of chicken, the cost per kg is now 330 to 350 taka; which was 300-320 taka earlier.

But the news of relief is that the price of farm chicken eggs in the market has remained stable. In the big market, a dozen farm eggs are available for 130 to 135 taka. It is 140-145 taka in neighborhood shops.

On the other hand, the price of potatoes, which has been causing discomfort in the market for the past few months, has now come down to 20-25 taka. Onions are being bought for 40-50 taka. Apart from this, per kg, brinjal is currently being sold at 40 to 50 taka, beans at 30 to 50 taka, raw papaya at 25 to 30 taka, cucumber at 25 to 30 taka, bitter gourd at 50 to 60 taka, radish at 15 to 20 taka, beetroot at 50 to 60 taka, carrot at 40 to 45 taka and sweet pumpkin at 30 taka. Each piece of cauliflower and cabbage is being sold at 15 to 20 taka depending on the quality and a piece of gourd is being sold at 30 to 50 taka.

Imported lentils are selling at Tk 105 to Tk 110 and domestic thin lentils at Tk 130 to Tk 135, Mugdal Tk 165 to Tk 170 and chickpeas at Tk 125 to Tk 130 per kg.