Retail market stable despite blockade

Prices of essential commodities at the retail level remained almost stable in the last week despite the ongoing countrywide non-stop blockade.

Traders said prices of vegetables did not increase as anticipated during the blockade.

This correspondent found a standard-size cauliflower or cabbage was selling at Tk 15-20 and a gourd at Tk 40-50 at different kitchen markets on Friday.

Per kilogram of tomato sold at Tk 30-40, bean at Tk 40 and eggplant at Tk 40.

Traders said the vegetables were selling almost at the same prices as they were at the beginning of winter.

However, prices of onion declined as new produce started reaching the market.

According to traders per kg of local-variety of onion sold at Tk 30-35 and potato at Tk 18-20 on Friday.

Shyampur Agriculture Products Wholesale Association’s Md Sayeed told bdnews24.com prices of commodities had increased ‘slightly’ as the trucks were charging them high freight.

Rezaul Karim, a retail vegetables seller at Mugda kitchen market, however differed with Sayeed.

He said: “Prices haven’t increased. But it can be said that the prices haven’t declined as they were supposed to this time.”

Rice was selling at Tk 35-58 and flour at Tk 32-37 per kg depending on quality.