Shab-e-Barat, weekly holiday drive up meat costs in Dhaka markets

Shoppers accuse sellers of exploiting the situation as beef prices jump to Tk 800

Consumers in Dhaka are having to cough up more than usual for meat thanks to the combined the combined “impact” of the weekly holiday and Shab-e-Barat.

Sellers and buyers at Mohakhali and Niketan kitchen markets said beef, which had remained around Tk 750 per kg last week, was selling for Tk 780–800 per kg on Friday.

Broiler chicken, which cost Tk 180–190 per kg last week, was priced at Tk 200–210 per kg.

Goat meat, which had remained stable for an extended period, also saw an increase due to Shab-e-Barat demand.

Last week, it was Tk 1,100 per kg, but on Friday, prices ranged from Tk 1,150 to Tk 1,200 per kg.

Md Sojib, a rickshaw-puller who came to buy beef from the Niketan market, said: "We can’t afford to buy meat daily. When we try once in a while, we see prices have gone up. I thought of buying some on Shab-e-Barat, but it’s more expensive today.

"For months, beef was Tk 750 per kg. Now suddenly, they’re asking Tk 800. The moment people want to buy a little extra, shopkeepers raise prices," he added.

When asked about the price hike, seller Nuruzzaman said: “Prices always rise slightly before Eid or Shab-e-Barat. When demand increases, prices go up. This is nothing new.”

Regarding the increase in chicken prices, Sohel, a worker at Rajib Mukta Poultry Shop in Niketan, who gave a single name, said: “Chicken prices go up and down every few days. This is just another fluctuation.”

When asked if prices were raised specifically for Shab-e-Barat, he said: “Not because of that. We just had to buy at higher prices.”

At Mohakhali market, poultry seller Nur Hossain said: “Chicken was selling for Tk 180–190. [On Thursday], I bought stock at a higher price.”

OIL CRISIS PERSISTS, RICE PRICES UNCHANGED

The shortage of bottled soyabean oil, which has been observed in the market for the past two weeks, has not yet been resolved.

Vendors say that despite placing orders for oil, distributors or dealers are unable to supply it properly. As a result, oil is not sufficiently available in stores.

Faruk Hossain, a seller at Ripa General Store in Niketan kitchen market, told bdnews24.com: "For the past month, I have been selling only loose soybean oil. Occasionally, I receive one or two cartons, but they run out quickly. There’s not enough to display in the store."

Afroza Begum, a housewife who came to buy oil, said: "This has started because of Ramadan approaching."

Meanwhile, after several months of high rice prices, there has been no new increase.

On Friday, the price of fine (Miniket) rice ranged from Tk 82 to Tk 88 per kg, depending on quality.

Atish (medium thin) rice is priced at Tk 65, Paijam rice at Tk 70, and coarse rice at Tk 52 to Tk 55 per kg.

When asked about the rice prices, vendor Faruk Hossain said: "The price of rice is still high, it hasn't decreased. If the government increases monitoring, the prices could return to their previous level."

VEGETABLE MARKET SHOWS STABILITY

There is ease in the vegetable market, as most vegetable prices remain stable before Ramadan, with a few exceptions.

Potatoes are available at Tk 20 per kg in the market. Round eggplant is priced at Tk 60, and long eggplant is being sold for Tk 35 to Tk 40 taka per kg.

The price of green chilies remains under Tk 100 per kg, and tomatoes are priced at Tk 40.

Cucumber prices have increased, with domestic cucumbers selling for Tk 80 to Tk 90 per kg, an increase of Tk 10 to Tk 20 from the previous week.

Hybrid cucumbers are available for Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg.

The price of carrots is Tk 40 per kg, beans range from Tk 40 to Tk 50, and raw bananas cost Tk 30 per bunch. Depending on size, bottle gourds are available between Tk 40 and Tk 70, and pumpkin prices are around Tk 50 per kg.

Papayas are priced between Tk 30 and Tk 40, bitter gourds between Tk 80 and Tk 100, ridged gourds at Tk 80, and radishes cost between Tk 20 and Tk 30 per kg. Snake gourd is sold for Tk 80 per kg.

Coriander leaves are priced at Tk 180 per kg.

Cauliflower and cabbage vary between Tk 30 and Tk 35, depending on the size.

There is some relief in the onion market.

Local onions are being sold at Tk 45 to Tk 50 per kg, while Indian onions are priced at Tk 60 per kg. Local new garlic costs Tk 150 per kg, while imported garlic is sold for Tk 250 per kg.