Trade
4 years ago

Veg prices see steep rise

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The prices of vegetables increased significantly in last few days which traders attributed to flash flood and heavy rain in some districts of the country.

Heavy downpour and onrush of water from upstream caused flash flood in parts of 16 northern and north-eastern districts.

Prices of vegetables increased by Tk 10-30 a kg in last three days due to supply crunch, said traders.

Green chilli prices soared to Tk 120-150 a kg from Tk 80-90 a kg earlier, according to kitchen markets.

Green papaya, which was one of the cheapest vegetables in the year, was sold at Tk 55-65 a kg in different kitchen markets of the city on Wednesday.

Most of the seasonal vegetables, including pointed gourd, pumpkin, ridge, sponge gourds, summer brinjal and bitter gourd, showed a hike as they were selling at Tk 60-80 a kg on the day.

Stored tomato prices rose to Tk 120-130 a kg on the day which was Tk 80-100 a week back.

Leafy prices, however, remained the same at Tk 10-25 per bunch based on varieties.

Belayet Hossain, a vegetable vendor at Rayer Bazar, said he bought tomato at Tk 500 per five kg on the day which was Tk 360-400 few days back.

Arman Ali, a Shyambazar-based trader, said supply of summer vegetables declined from different hubs like Sirajganj, Gaibandha, Bogura, Tangail, Manikganj, and Jamalpur due to flood.

Ali said prices of vegetables might continue the current trend for next few weeks.

Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said vegetables on 6,500 hectares of land have been so far damaged by flash flood in 16 districts.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said prices of veggies have increased to some extent following water-logging in some districts.

"But our field reports show that there is a big price gap between farm level and Dhaka city retail markets."

He said pointed gourd was selling at Tk 18-19 a kg at Ghior in Manikganj for the last three days when it was traded at Tk 36-38 a kg at the capital's Karwan Bazar wholesale.

The same produce was retailed at Tk 60 a kg at Shegunbagicha Bazar on Tuesday.

An 80-120 per cent price gap still exists causing difficulties for limited income group people, he said, adding that the government should introduce a mechanism so that this price gap could be minimised.

Sound marketing of farmers' produce should be ensured through introducing farmers' markets in the cities, he added.

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