Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Prices of groceries and several other daily commodities including chicken, egg and vegetables declined slightly this week following an unusual hike last week centring the upward demand at the beginning of the Ramadan.
Many consumers claimed that the costs of many kitchen items are still beyond their affordability.
Sellers on Saturday said lean demand and adequate supply of the goods mainly helped the price drop and stability.
All sorts of chicken are now cheaper than the previous week. Per kg of broiler chicken was being sold at
Tk 210-220 in the city kitchen markets on Saturday. It was around Tk 270 a week ago, said Faijur Rahman, a retailer in the city's Karwan Bazar area.
"The initiatives of the government's supervisory bodies along with a weak demand led to the price decline," he said.
Layer chicken price has declined to Tk 310-320 from around Tk 350, local variety of chicken was selling at Tk 470-500, TK 20-30 less than the previous week.
"We only adjust the price in line with the price offered by the dealers," he said adding that the large firms and businessmen play a crucial role in price changes.
Another affordable protein source, egg, was selling at Tk 120 to Tk125 per dozen. Prices of per kg beef and mutton remained static to Tk750 and Tk1,100 respectively.
All sorts of vegetable price have declined slightly in the last couple of days. Tk10 to Tk30 per kg has been reduced depending on varieties of the vegetables.
The present price of some of the common vegetables in the kitchen markets were - Brinjal's price was Tk 50-60 per kg, cucumber Tk 40-60 a kg, medium sized lemon per piece Tk 10-12, bitter gourd per piece Tk 70-80, bean Tk 40-45 per kg, Papaya Tk 35-40 per kg.
A consumer Aynal Hossain said the price fall is not good enough. The price of daily essentials is not tolerable for us as it is still beyond the reach of the common people, he added.
"Everyone (traders, wholesalers, producers) in the market blames each other for the price hike. However, we are the ultimate sufferer," he said.
The authorities concerned should monitor the market and take necessary steps to keep it stable, he further said.
Price of other essentials including lentils, chick pea, sugar and oil remained same to their previous level.