Weekly Kitchen Market: Eggs, onions, green chillies become costlier

Eggs, onions, and green chillies have been more expensive in a week, compounding the burden on consumers already grappling with high living costs.

Egg prices have reached Tk 135-145 a dozen, marking a Tk 10 rise. On the other hand, heavy rainfall in some areas and a rise in import costs have pushed green chilli prices up again. It sold at Tk 240-260 a kg on Thursday.

Farid Uddin, an employee at a grocery store in West Dhanmondi, says egg prices has gone up by Tk 60-70 per 100 in the Tejgaon wholesale market as rain has disrupted the supply of eggs.

Md Hedayet Ali, an egg trader in Tejgaon, says egg prices have risen by Tk 0.2-0.3 each, while agents and retailers are reaping the most profit. He added that eggs usually become costlier during summer and rainy season, but the current price is still much lower than that of last year.

According to the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Coordination Committee (BPICC), daily egg production has also dropped to 3.5-3.8 million against a demand for 4.5 million.

On the other hand, green chilli prices has surged to Tk 1000-1100 per five kg in the wholesale markets, up from Tk 700-800 two days ago. Ranajit Das, a vegetable vendor at Rayerbazar, said the retail price may increase further today.

Rabiul Islam Moni, a vegetable trader at Beribadh, Mohammadpur, says the import cost of green chilli has recently increased, while rain has also disrupted supply chain, resulting in a hike in price.

Onion prices have now reached Tk 70-75 per kg, up by Tk 5.0, according to grocers. However, prices of most vegetables remain stable. Tomato, carrot, long-yard bean, colocasia stems, and bitter gourd are among the pricier vegetables. Tomato prices remain at their earlier high of Tk 150-160 per kg.

In contrast, prices of brinjal, pointed gourd, snake gourd, teasel gourd, sponge gourd, ash gourd, and papaya remain at reasonable levels, while prices of rice, river fish, beef, and chicken continue at their earlier high levels.

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