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Fish prices continued to rise sharply last week, causing frustration among common consumers.
The prices of cultured fishes, such as rui, katla, pabda, and pangas, increased by Tk 30-50 a kg over the past week; while the supply of indigenous species remained limited, traders said.
Cultured rui and katla were sold at Tk 300-480 a kg, pabda at Tk 550-700 a kg, pangas at Tk 220-300, koi at Tk 220-280 a kg, shing at Tk 350-500 a kg on Friday.
Small-sized hilsa was sold at Tk 1,000-1,200 a kg, medium- and bigger-sized hilsa at Tk 1,400-3,200 a kg depending on size.
Riverine tangra and pabda were sold at Tk 750-1,000 a kg, and shrimp Tk 850-1,500 a kg on the day.
Hanif Ahmed, an employee, said, "Just two weeks ago, tangra and taki were cheaper. Even large pangas now costs over Tk 260 a kg."
He said a week ago, cultured rui was sold at Tk 280-350 per kg, but now it is rarely available below Tk 320 a kg.
After a 22-day government ban on fishing and trading, hilsa started returning to the markets, though its prices remained high.
Fish traders blame high wholesale prices and limited supply for the persistent price hike.
"Prices of cultured fish fluctuate by Tk 30-50 a kg depending on the wholesale rates. Unless prices fall at the wholesale level, retail prices won't drop," said a trader.
Meanwhile, consumers got some respite in vegetable and egg markets amid high fish prices. Increased supply of early winter vegetables brought down their prices slightly in the recent weeks.
Traders said vegetable prices are likely to remain stable in the coming weeks, but fish prices may stay high unless supply improves in the wholesale markets.
At Rayer Bazar, Mohammadpur and Dhanmondi markets, early harvested country beans were selling at Tk 80-120 a kg, cauliflower and cabbage at Tk 30-60 per piece, radish at Tk 50-70 per kg, potatoe at Tk 20-25, and green papaya at Tk 30-40 per kg on Friday.
Long brinjal, bitter gourd, and clocasia stems were selling at prices between Tk 60 and Tk 80 per kg. Green chili prices also dropped to around Tk 100 per kg.
Egg prices declined to Tk 135-140 per dozen from Tk 140-145 a week back, while broiler chicken prices dropped by Tk 10 per kg to Tk 170-180 a kg. However, Sonali chicken prices remained static at Tk 300-320 a kg.
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