Winter vegetables arrive in markets of Magura, Gopalganj,Chandpur

Although winter has arrived, the prices of vegetables are high in Magura and Gopalganj, while a fall in the vegetable prices in Chandpur brought relief to low-income consumers.

Our correspondent from Magura reports, as much as 3,820 hectares were brought under winter vegetable cultivation in Magura targeting yield of 25 tonnes, according to the Department of Agriculture Extension in Magura.

During a visit at Magura's Puratan Bazar, this correspondent found tomatoes are being sold at Tk 100 per kg, while beans at Tk 120.

Per kg of radish is being sold at Tk 50 while cauliflower per piece was priced at Tk 50-55.

Mofijur Rahman, a consumer of Stadium Para in Magura town, said he was startled after learning the high price of winter vegetables and could not purchase them.

Farmer Keshto Dash of Magura Sadar's Sreekunthi Upazila said, due to heavy rainfall, winter vegetables were badly damaged, but the growers will be able to recoup their losses as they are now making a high profit.

Vegetable retailer Karam Ali said they were selling winter vegetables at high prices as they procured them from farmers at high costs. "But customers are showing little interest due to the abnormal price."

DAE Deputy Director Md Tajul Islam said the prices of winter vegetables at the local markets are high and farmers are being encouraged to cultivate these early crops as they are profitable.

He also said that farmers will be able to recoup the losses they sustained in heavy rainfall due to the high profit earned and the prices will also fall gradually.

Our correspondent from Gopalganj reports, although winter has arrived, vegetable prices have shot up abnormally in different markets in the district, which was much lower two weeks ago.

After a visit this correspondent found, a kilogram red amaranth is being sold at Tk 90-100, which was Tk 50-60.

A kilogram of bean sells at Tk 130-140, which was Tk 80 to 90. A kilogram of spinach is priced at Tk 100-120, which was Tk 60-70. A kilogram of cabbage is being sold at Tk 50-60, which was Tk 35 to 40 earlier.

A kilogram of radish is being sold at Tk 50-60, which was Tk 30-35. Per kilogram of kohlrabi is being sold at Tk 80-90, and previously it was Tk 50-60. A kilogram of okra has been selling at Tk 80-90, which was Tk 50-60. A medium sized bottle gourd has been selling at Tk 80-90, but it was Tk 40-50.

A kilogram of brinjal, currently priced at Tk 80-90, was Tk 60-70 earlier. One kilogram of pointed gourd has been selling at Tk 60-70, which was Tk 40-50. A kilogram of coriander leaves is being sold at Tk 280-Tk 300, which was Tk 180 to 200. Tomato per kg is being sold at Tk 120-140, which was previously sold at Tk 80-90.

A kilogram of cauliflower is being sold at Tk 70-80, but earlier it was Tk 45-50. Each kilogram of carrot has been selling at Tk 130-140, but earlier it was Tk 90-100. A kilogram of cucumber is being sold at Tk 50-60, which was Tk 35-40 earlier. Per kg of bitter gourd is being sold at Tk 80-90, which was Tk 50-60 previously.

Dr. Md. Mamunur Rahman, deputy director (DD), Department of Agricultural Extension Gopalganj, told the FE that portions of the vegetable fields were partially damaged due to heavy rains last few days ago. Farmers affected by the rain could not supply vegetables to the markets as a result. "So, vegetable prices abnormally shot up I think," the DD said.

Our correspondent from Chandpur reports, abundant supply of early winter vegetables since last week has led to a fall in prices at the district's local markets, bringing slight relief to low-income people.

However, residents alleged that the retailers have an excessive "profit-mongering" attitude as the price difference between wholesale and retail prices of coriander leaf and green chili are as high as Tk 70-90 per kg.

Currently, potato sells at Tk 20-22 per kg; green papaya at Tk 30 per kg; carrot, cucumber, sponge gourd, and snake gourd sell at Tk 40-45 per kg; a piece of medium-sized cauliflower sells at Tk 30; while a medium-sized cabbage sells at Tk 30-35 apiece.

Moreover, a medium-sized bottle-gourd sells at Tk 40-45 per kg; pointed gourd and okra sell at Tk 50-60 per kg; pumpkin sells at Tk 40-45 per kg and per four plantain sells at Tk 30-Tk 35.

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