Price of staples soars as oil crisis disrupts supply to Dhaka markets

Vegetable and fish prices have surged in Dhaka's kitchen markets over the past week, with traders citing increased transport costs triggered by rain and a fuel crisis as reasons behind the hike.

A visit to several kitchen markets, including Rayerbagh, Shonir Akhra, Kaptan Bazar, Shantinagar, and Segunbagicha on Friday revealed a sharp rise in the cost of most essential kitchen items.

Okra, which sold at Tk 50 per kg last week, was priced at Tk 90.

Customers buying less than a kg, however, were forced to pay a rate of Tk 100 per kg.

The price hike also hit other staples.

Pointed gourd rose by Tk 30, reaching Tk 100 per kg at Jatrabari.

Large round aubergines saw a massive jump, selling at Tk 120-140 per kg, up from just Tk 50-80 a week ago.

Long aubergines also tripled in price, moving from Tk 40 to Tk 120 per kg.

"Traders are blaming rain and the oil crisis, but it feels like a pretext to hike prices," said Asaduzzaman, identified with a single name, a shopper at Segunbaghicha.

"They are asking Tk 100 for bitter gourd and Tk 120 for the local variety. How are people supposed to afford this?"

Retailers, however, claimed they are struggling with higher overheads.

"It is raining, and it costs more to transport goods now," said Mohammad Russel, a vendor at Shonir Akhra.

Green chillies saw a Tk 40 increase, selling at Tk 120 per kg, while tomatoes reached Tk 60 per kg from the previous Tk 30-40.

Cucumber prices also rose by Tk 10-20 to reach Tk 70 per kg.

Green papaya and yardlong beans remained stable at Tk 30 and Tk 50-60 per kg each.

Butter catfish was sold at Tk 400 per kg, up from Tk 350.

The price of river Pangas catfish remained high at Tk 400, while farmed Pangas rose by Tk 20 to Tk 200 per kg.

Large-eye croaker fish saw a staggering jump from Tk 200 to Tk 500 per kg.

Rohu fish also edged up, selling at Tk 250 per kg for smaller sizes, while larger ones fetched Tk 450.

In the poultry market, broiler chickens provided some relief, dropping by Tk 20 to sell at Tk 180 per kg.

Sonali chicken remained expensive at Tk 430-450 per kg.

Egg prices also dipped slightly, selling at Tk 110 per dozen, down by Tk 10.

Beef prices remained unchanged at Tk 800 per kg in most markets.