Fish prices go up in city

Prices of fish and onion increased again last week, compounding woes of the consumers already hit hard by a surge in the prices of essentials.

Prices of fish, especially those of indigenous ones, went up by Tk 50-Tk 100 per kilogramme (kg) last week.

Different sizes and qualities of Pabda were sold at Tk 550-Tk 950, Tengra at Tk 450-Tk 650, Golsha at Tk 500-Tk 650, Shol at Tk 400-Tk 550, Shing and Magur at Tk 600-Tk 850 a kg over the week.

Cultured Rui and Katla were sold at Tk 220-Tk 350 a kg while prices of Hilsa also witnessed a rise by Tk 80-Tk 100 per piece or kg.

Mursalin Hoque, a fish trader at Rayer Bazar kitchen market in the city, told the FE that prices of fish increased notably at wholesales in last one week.

"Tengra was sold at Tk 400-Tk 550 per kg at Mawa Ghat on Thursday which was below Tk 300-Tk 450 seven days back," he said.

Bangladesh Fish Traders Association president Golam Mortaza Montu told the FE that supply of fishes declined significantly following low catch in the rivers and beels.

He said water levels of many major rivers are yet to recede this year resulting in a low catch.

Prices of onion increased to Tk 80-Tk 100 a kg from Tk 60-Tk 80 a kg earlier.

Local onion was selling at Tk 95-Tk 100 while imported Indian varieties at Tk 80-Tk 90 a kg on Thursday. Traders said prices of the spice increased after the Indian government fixed its minimum export price (MEP) at US$ 850 a tonne following volatility in its own market.

There was no MEP on onion export for last two years in India.

Seasonal seed onion namely 'murikata' has started arriving in the local market which was being traded at Tk 60-Tk 70 a kg on Thursday.

Prices of vegetables and ginger, however, showed a slight decline during the period.

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