Vegetable prices soar in Dhaka’s kitchen markets; no item below Tk 80

Vegetable prices have jumped sharply in the capital’s kitchen markets over the past week, leaving no item except papaya below Tk 80 per kg and forcing consumers to cut back on purchases.

A spot check on Friday at North Badda, Middle Badda, Rampura, Malibagh and Shantinagar markets found prices up by Tk 20-50 per kg for most vegetables.

Good-quality round brinjal topped the list, selling for Tk 220–250 per kg—double last week’s price. Long brinjal fetched Tk 160–180, while the white variety sold for Tk 120–140.

Ridge gourd (Jhinga), sponge gourd (Dhundol) and cucumber were priced at Tk 100 per kg. Okra, pointed gourd (Dherosh) and teasel gourd (Kakrol) sold for Tk 80.

Papaya was the only exception at Tk 40 per kg. Jali Kumra from Tk 100–120 apiece, and bottle gourd from Tk 100–150. Yard-long beans sold for Tk 80–100 per kg, taro stems at Tk 80, and taro roots at Tk 70–80.

Green chilli prices also spiked, retailing at Tk 220–240 per kg, while wholesale rates stood at Tk 1,000 per 5-kg lot.

“Brinjal prices shocked me—it’s up Tk 100 in just a week,” said Yasmin Ara, a schoolteacher shopping in North Badda.

“I left it and bought papaya instead.” Another shopper, Abdul Gaffar, said he usually buys over a kilo of each vegetable but was now taking only half a kilo of three items. “I haven’t seen prices this high in a year,” he added.

Retailers blamed wholesale hikes for the surge, saying many customers were walking away or buying just 250–500 grams. “Our profits are falling too,” said one trader.

At Kawranbazar, wholesale traders said prices for most vegetables arriving early Friday had risen due to lower yields this season.

“Per 5-kg lot, prices are up by Tk 100–200,” said wholesaler Nur Islam, adding that rates may ease by October.

Another trader, Abdus Salam, said March–August is typically a low-supply period while demand remains steady, pushing up prices.

Increased transport costs this year have also contributed, he claimed.

The price spike is not limited to vegetables. Onions are selling for Tk 85–90 per kg, up from Tk 75 last week, with wholesale rates at Tk 400–430 per 5-kg lot.

Egg prices rose as well, with brown eggs selling for Tk 145–150 a dozen and white eggs for Tk 130–135.

Prices for both Sonali and farm chickens climbed by Tk 10 per kg to Tk 320–340 and Tk 170–185 respectively.

Beef prices remained steady at Tk 750–800 per kg, while mutton held at Tk 1,100–1,200.

Fish prices have jumped by Tk 50–200 per kg. Small fish such as kachki rose from Tk 500 last week to Tk 600, chapila sold for Tk 450–500, and poa ranged from Tk 550–700. Catfish varieties like shing and magur sold for Tk 500–600.

Among larger fish, rui fetched Tk 380–420, katla Tk 400–480, kalibaush Tk 400–450, tilapia Tk 250–280, farmed pangas Tk 250, and river pangas Tk 800–1,000. Boal sold for Tk 800–1,200 and aar fish for Tk 1,000 per kg.

Hilsa prices also climbed, with medium-sized fish under 1 kg selling for Tk 1,800, smaller ones for Tk 1,200–1,600, and larger specimens above 1 kg fetching Tk 2,000–2,500.

Market insiders said the surge in vegetable and onion prices has had a ripple effect on nearly all food items.

They called for stronger market monitoring, an end to alleged syndicate manipulation, and action against extortion in goods transport to bring prices down.