BM Desk : Prices of vegetables and fish have increased further in the markets of the capital. Although chicken is being sold at previous rates, egg prices have risen again. However, the recently announced higher prices for edible oil have not yet been seen in retail sales, according to sellers.

A visit to Jatrabari Bazar on Friday (October 17) revealed this situation. Winter vegetables have started arriving in the market, but prices continue to rise. Shoppers complained that vegetable prices are increasing uncontrollably. A buyer named Rabbi said that the vegetable market is now out of control. Even though winter vegetables are available, their prices are still high, along with those of other vegetables.

In the current market, , carrots are selling for Tk 160, tomatoes for Tk 120 per kg, carrots for Tk 160, beans for Tk 220, bitter gourd for Tk 100, snake gourd for Tk 40–50, okra for Tk 70, teasel gourd for Tk 100, papaya for Tk 40, pointed gourd for Tk 70, and radish for Tk 60. Additionally, onions are Tk 80 per kg, eggplants range from Tk 80–120, taro stolon is Tk 40, long beans Tk 70, potatoes Tk 25, and cucumbers Tk 80. The price of green chilies has also increased slightly, now being sold at Tk 200 per kg, up from Tk 160 last week.

Vendors claim that the prices remain high due to reduced supply caused by recent rain. Anis, a vegetable seller at Karwan Bazar, said that although rainfall has decreased slightly, heavy rain earlier this month damaged vegetables in many areas. As a result, wholesale prices have gone up, forcing them to buy at higher costs and making it difficult to reduce prices in retail. Most vegetables are being sold at Tk 10–20 more per kg than usual.

Meanwhile, due to the fishing ban, hilsa is not available in the market. While prices of farmed rohu and katla fish remain stable, prices of tengra, pabda, and other fish have increased. A fish vendor named Shafiqul said that due to the absence of marine fish, the pressure on local and farmed fish has increased, pushing up prices.

Currently, boal is selling for Tk 800–1,000 per kg, coral fish for Tk 850–900, ayer for Tk 700–800, farmed rohu for Tk 300–450, and katla for Tk 450. Tilapia is being sold at Tk 180, farmed pangas at Tk 200, farmed tengra at Tk 600, and pabda and shing at Tk 400–600 per kg.

The chicken market has remained stable but continues to sell at previously increased prices. Broiler chicken is priced at Tk 170 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk 280–300, red layer chicken at Tk 320, and local (deshi) chicken at Tk 550–600 per kg.

However, egg prices have risen again. The price of red eggs has increased by Tk 5 per dozen, now selling at Tk 140, while white eggs are being sold at Tk 130 per dozen.

Meanwhile, despite ongoing controversies in the daily essentials market, retailers report that edible oil is still being sold at previous prices. Bottled soybean oil is priced at Tk 189 per liter, and a 5-liter bottle is being sold at Tk 922.

Shoppers said that with the prices of almost all essential items rising simultaneously, managing monthly expenses has become very difficult. Sellers mentioned that if supply conditions improve, prices may begin to drop slightly by next week.