Kitchen costs burn higher in Dhaka as chilli, vegetables get pricier

Shoppers complain three-day supplies now last barely one

Rains have dampened roads but lit a fire in the kitchen, with chilli prices in Dhaka’s markets jumping by over Tk 100 in a week and vegetables climbing fast behind.

A visit to Saat Tola and Mohakhali kitchen markets shows that chilli which sold at Tk 200–240 per kg last week now ranges from Tk 320–350 per kg depending on quality.

Jahangir Hossain, a vegetable seller at Saat Tola, told bdnews24.com: “Several days of continuous rain have damaged the chilli plants. As a result, prices have risen at the farmer level. We are forced to sell at higher rates.”

Oliur Rahman, a seller at Mohakhali market, said: “We bought chillies from Karwan Bazar at higher prices, so we have to sell at more. I’m not sure of the exact reason behind the hike, but the rain has reduced supply.

“Chillies now cost Tk 320 per kg. Add transportation and shop rent, and this is the price in the market.”

Shobuj Hossain, a customer at Saat Tola, said: “Earlier, Tk 30 worth of chillies would last us two to three days. I bought Tk 40 worth, and it will barely last a single day. You can count the pieces in your hand.”

VEGETABLES AREN’T FAR BEHIND

Prices of leafy greens and other vegetables have also climbed steeply over recent months, with two to three days of sustained rain worsening the situation.

Last week, bitter gourd sold for Tk 80–100 per kg. On Friday, its price rose to Tk 120.

Similarly, ridge gourd went up by Tk 10 to Tk 120 per kg. Different types of eggplant rose by Tk 20 to sell at Tk 120 per kg.

Among other vegetables, ladies’ finger, swamp gourd, pointed gourd, snake gourd, spiny gourd were selling between Tk 80–100 per kg.

Meanwhile, papaya remained at Tk 25–30 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk 60–70 depending on size, ripe tomatoes at Tk 140–160 per kg, hybrid carrots at Tk 120–140 per kg, local cucumber at Tk 80 per kg and hybrid cucumber at Tk 60 per kg.

Elsewhere, young bananas were Tk 40 per bunch, ash gourd sold for Tk 50–60 each, and radish remained at Tk 80 per kg.

Beans, which were Tk 200 per kg last week, were selling for Tk 220–240. Sweet pumpkins were priced at Tk 50 per kg, and small cauliflowers were Tk 60–80 each.

Lemons were selling for Tk 20–30 per four-piece bunch, coriander leaves at Tk 320–350 per kg, and capsicum at Tk 380–400 depending on quality.

Shah Alam, a vegetable seller at Sat Tola market, said: “Rain has lowered supply in the market. Transport costs also rise during rain. Altogether, prices have gone up a bit.”

But buyers told a different story. Mohammad Shahed, shopping for bitter gourd at Mohakhali kitchen market, said: “Prices didn’t rise just because of today’s rain. Vegetables have been expensive for three months now.

“They dropped for a bit, but now that they’ve gone up again, they’re just not coming down.”

SPICES, PULSES, EGGS ALSO SEE HIKES

While staple spice markets remain relatively stable, some items have crept up in price during the week.

At Masuma General Store in Mohakhali, owner Al Amin said potatoes remain at Tk 25 per kg, local onions at Tk 70–75 per kg, domestic garlic at Tk 100–140 per kg, lentils (thick variety) from Tk 95 to 110 per kg, imported Chinese ginger from Tk 140 to 240 per kg.

Thin-lentil price rose from Tk 140 to 150 per kg. Imported garlic rose by Tk 20 from Tk 150 to 200 per kg.

Loose soyabean oil increased by Tk 2–4 to Tk 175–178 per litre.

For eggs, farm-fresh ones remain Tk 140 per dozen; broiler chicken price rose by Tk 10 per kg (from Tk 160–170 to Tk 180 per kg).