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Published : 19 Feb 2026, 09:35 PM
Prices of Ramadan essentials have increased on the first day of the Islamic holy month, with the familiar trend of a surge in food prices returning to markets this year.
A visit to the Mohakhali and Sattola kitchen markets in the capital on Thursday showed that alongside vegetables, the prices of chicken and beef have also risen.
Among fresh produce, limes have surged the most.
Last week, limes were selling at Tk 20 to Tk 40 per four pieces.
On Thursday, prices doubled or tripled, selling at Tk 80 to Tk 120 per four-piece bunch.
Elachi lime varieties were priced higher than local Kagazi limes.
At Mohakhali kitchen market, limes were selling at similarly high rates.
Shopper Md Iftekhar Hossain expressed frustration after buying lime at Tk 100 per four pieces.
“It seems the vitamin content in lemons has increased in the past two days. Otherwise, we are fools. Buying lemons at Tk 100 for four certainly makes it feel that way,” he said sarcastically.
Vegetable Prices Climb, Chickpeas and Gram Flour Steady
Prices of several vegetables have risen over the past week.
Round aubergines, which sold at Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kg last week depending on quality, were selling at Tk 100 to Tk 110 on Tuesday.
Long aubergines, previously priced between Tk 60 and Tk 100 per kg, were selling at Tk 110 to Tk 120.
Green papaya, typically available year-round at Tk 30 to Tk 40 per kg, was selling at Tk 60 to Tk 70.
Cucumbers were priced at Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg, up from Tk 60 to Tk 80 last week.
Tomato and carrot prices also rose by Tk 10 per kg.
The prices of onions and green chillies also increased. Onion prices rose by Tk 5-10 per kg to Tk 55-60, while green chillies rose by Tk 20-40 per kg to Tk 160-180.
Ramadan staples such as chickpeas and gram flour remained stable.
Chickpeas were selling at Tk 80-95 per kg depending on quality, gram flour at Tk 50 to Tk 75, and mung beans at around Tk 120 per kg.
Broiler Chicken Makes ‘Double Century’
Broiler chicken prices increased by Tk 20 to Tk 40 per kg within a week.
Broiler chicken that sold at Tk 170-180 per kg last week was selling at Tk 200-220 on Thursday.
Sonali chicken rose by Tk 30 to Tk 40 per kg to Tk 350-360.
Local chicken increased from Tk 600-650 per kg last week to Tk 700-720.
Beef prices also rose slightly, from Tk 750-780 per kg last week to Tk 790-800 on the first day of Ramadan.
Fruit Prices Remain High
Many people prefer fruits during iftar, resulting in a price hike during Ramadan.
This year, prices of both local and imported fruits increased even before fasting started.
Among imported fruits, dates, oranges, and apples are the most in demand.
Prices of oranges increased by Tk 10 to Tk 40 per kg to Tk 310-350, while apples rose by Tk 20 to Tk 40 per kg.
Green apples were selling at Tk 350, gala apples at Tk 380-390, and fuji apples at Tk 350-360 per kg.
No imported fruit was available below Tk 300 per kg.
Two weeks ago, orange and apple prices were Tk 50 to Tk 80 lower on average.
Red grapes rose by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg to Tk 400-420, while black grapes increased by Tk 50 per kg to Tk 500.
Among local fruits, banana prices rose by Tk 30 to Tk 60 per dozen depending on variety.
Papaya, guava, and plums were selling at Tk 10 to Tk 50 more per kg compared with previous weeks, according to traders and shoppers who spoke to bdnews24.com.
