Ginger, onion prices bring tears, vegetables costlier

Vendors say stockpiled spices are taking over fresh harvests, jacking up the prices

Prices of key kitchen essentials have surged across Dhaka, with sharp hikes in ginger, onion, lentils, eggs, and vegetables over the past week.

Vendors attribute the rise to seasonal supply disruptions, stockpiling, and recent rainfall.

During a visit to Mahakhali and the Saat Tola kitchen markets on Friday, ginger and local onion were found to have seen the sharpest hikes.

Imported ginger rose by Tk 100-110 per kg, while local onion prices increased by Tk 20-25 per kg compared to last week.

Just 10 days ago, local onions were selling for Tk 55-65 per kg, but on Friday, prices ranged between Tk 80-85. Indian onion is currently unavailable in the market, and local supply has fallen as the season nears its end.

Local ginger, which is actually from Kerala, was previously priced at Tk 140-150, and is now being sold for Tk 220-230 per kg. Chinese ginger rose from Tk 160 to Tk 260-270 per kg.

A vendor at Masuma General Store said the local onion supply had shifted from fresh harvest to stockpiled produce, leading to lower availability and higher prices. He noted a similar trend with ginger.

According to data from the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), prices of onion and ginger have risen by 39.13 percent and 43.75 percent over the past month. However, compared to the same time last year, prices are still down by 30.43 percent and 11.54 percent.

LENTILS AND EGGS GET MORE EXPENSIVE

Prices of local lentils and eggs have also increased. Local lentils that were sold at Tk 130 per kg last week are now priced at Tk 150, while imported Indian lentils remain unchanged at Tk 105-110.

Egg prices have gone up. Farmed red eggs now cost Tk 135-140 per dozen, up by Tk 15-20. Duck eggs have risen by Tk 10-20 per dozen and are now selling at Tk 220.

VEGETABLE PRICES CONTINUE TO CLIMB

There has been no relief in vegetable prices, as vendors blame the recent rainfall for disrupting supply chains, resulting in a Tk 10-20 per kg rise in many items.

Aubergine has gone up by Tk 20 to Tk 80-100 per kg, while yardlong beans are priced at Tk 100 per kg.

Pointed gourd sells at Tk 60-70, sponge gourd and snake gourd at Tk 60, taro stems at Tk 80, taro roots at Tk 50-60.

Bitter gourd is sold at Tk 100-120 per kg, ridge gourd at Tk 60, green papaya at Tk 25-30, while green chilli is being sold at Tk 160-200 per kg.

Bottle gourds vary in price from Tk 50-60 each, while tomatoes jumped Tk 20 to Tk 140 per kg. Carrots are selling at Tk 140, local cucumbers at Tk 100, and hybrid cucumbers at Tk 70 per kg.

Limes are selling at Tk 20 from last week’s Tk 10, coriander leaves at Tk 400 per kg, green bananas at Tk 30 for four, wax gourd at Tk 50, spiny gourd at Tk 80, radishes at Tk 60, and pumpkin at Tk 30 per kg.

Potatoes, however, have remained stable at Tk 20-25 per kg.

Leafy vegetables are also more expensive: red amaranth has increased to Tk 25 per bunch, bottle gourd leaves are at Tk 40-50, water spinach at Tk 10-15, Malabar spinach at Tk 40, and green amaranth at Tk 20.

Among poultry, Sonali cock chicken saw a Tk 40 hike to Tk 370 per kg.

Prices of Sonali hybrid, red layer, white layer, broiler, and local chickens have remained steady, priced at Tk 320, 310, 300, 170, and 660 per kg.