Vegetable, potato prices rise amid 'supply shortage'

Prices of vegetables and potatoes have increased in the city markets within a week, while onion prices have remained stuck at their previous high.

Prices of almost all winter vegetables that have declined to a satisfactory level, have again increased within just a week, putting consumers in trouble.

Sellers have said vegetable supply shortage has pushed prices up again last week.

Yusuf Ali, a trader in Mohammadpur, has said in the recent days, various political programmes, arson attacks on vehicles, and cocktail explosions have disrupted transportation of vegetables. As a result, fewer vegetables have reached the markets, causing their prices to rise.

Now country beans, radish, turnip, cauliflower, and cabbage are selling at high prices. Cauliflower and cabbage prices have increased to Tk 50-60 from Tk 40-50 a week back. Country beans have gone up to Tk 100-120 a kg from Tk 60-80 per kg.

The price of new eggplants has fallen slightly and is selling for Tk 80-100 per kg, depending on size and quality, which is still high for many consumers.

Radish is selling for Tk 50-60 per kg. New turnips have arrived in the market this week, selling for Tk 60-100 per kg, depending on the area. Popular winter greens, like spinach, are selling for Tk 20-30 per bunch.

Yard-long beans, bitter gourd, and teasel gourd are selling for Tk 70-80 per kg in the city markets, increasing slightly from their previous levels. Prices of okra and pointed gourd have also edged up, from Tk 50-60 to Tk 60-70 per kg.

Newly-harvested potato has arrived in the market, but its price is still as high as Tk 140-160 a kg, while stored potato price has increased by Tk 5.0 a kg to Tk 25-30 a kg.

Onion prices have remained static at Tk 120 a kg, maintaining the previous highs. Broiler chicken price has remained static at Tk 160-170 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk 270-310 per kg. Farm egg prices have further declined further to Tk 130-135 a dozen.

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