A gentle price drift, but Dhaka’s vegetable market stays fiery

The price of green chillies, which surged to Tk 400 a kg last week, has dropped to between Tk 200 and Tk 280

Intermittent rains combined with the extended four-day Durga Puja holiday have noticeably reduced the flow of vegetables into Dhaka markets over the past week.

Although this supply shortage initially pushed prices upward, recent days have seen a modest easing, yet the market continues to grapple with persistently high rates.

Traders say the arrival of early winter vegetables has somewhat eased the pressure, causing prices for certain varieties to drop by up to Tk 20 per kg.

The majority of fresh produce reaching Dhaka originates from northern districts, with additional supplies coming from low-lying areas around Munshiganj and Narayanganj, neighbouring the capital.

Among the major wholesale markets in Dhaka, Jatrabari stands out. Retailers often buy wholesale here and sell in smaller quantities around Jatrabari crossroads.

On Friday, prices at this market were: ridge gourd at Tk 100 per kg, pointed gourd Tk 70, bitter gourd Tk 80, papaya Tk 30, and medium-sized bottle gourds between Tk 60 and Tk 70 each.

Kalpana Akter, a vegetable seller at Shonir Akhra market, told bdnews24.com: “Prices will go down a bit more, but it may take a couple of days. There is no shortage of supply.”

She added, “Demand is higher on weekends, so prices tend to rise a little. People come and buy in bulk on Fridays. Still, prices are slightly lower compared with last week.

“For example, pointed gourd sold for Tk 80-90 per kg last week but is now Tk 70. Ridge gourd was Tk 120 but now Tk 100.”

Potatoes remain the cheapest vegetable, selling for Tk 15 to Tk 20 per kg from three-wheelers around local neighbourhoods. Retail prices range from Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kg.

At Shonir Akhra market, eggplants (round variety) sold at Tk 160 per kg, long eggplants at Tk 100, and snake gourds at Tk 70.

Sellers claimed these prices were Tk 10 to Tk 20 higher last week.

Among early winter vegetables, radishes fetched Tk 80 per kg while smaller cabbages sold for Tk 50 each. Flat beans ranged from Tk 160 to Tk 200 per kg.

Imported vegetables such as tomatoes sold at Tk 130 per kg, and carrots at Tk 200 per kg.

On Demra Road’s Kajla area, papayas sold at Tk 30 per kg, raw bananas at Tk 40 for 4 pieces, and lemons ranged from Tk 20 to Tk 40 per bunch.

Green chilli prices, which soared to Tk 400 per kg last week, have fallen to between Tk 200 and Tk 280 per kg.

At Shonir Akhra market, broiler chicken was priced at Tk 180 per kg while Sonali chicken ranged from Tk 280 to Tk 300 per kg. Farm eggs remained steady at Tk 140 per dozen.

Seller Molla Jamal told bdnews24.com, “Demand for meat increases on Fridays. We sold broiler chicken at Tk 180 per kg.”

At Kajla’s Bou Bazar, Tilapia sold between Tk 220 and Tk 300 per kg, Pangas between Tk 180 and Tk 250 per kg, Rui between Tk 350 and Tk 380 depending on size, and farmed Pabda and Catla fetched Tk 400 per kg.

Meat vendor Aminul Islam at Shonir Akhra said, “We sell beef at Tk 750 per kg. Since our sales volume is high, prices don’t fluctuate much.”