Vegetable, egg prices fall in Dhaka as supply improves while meat and fish vary

Increased supplies bring relief to the kitchen markets, while meat and fish remain mixed

Prices of several vegetables have fallen in Dhaka over the past week, while consumers and traders say the poultry and egg markets have also become more affordable.

Traders attributed the easing prices mainly to improved supply.

A visit to Mohammadpur and Karwan Bazar on Thursday found that many vegetables, including teasel gourd, pointed gourd, okra, green papaya, cucumber and potatoes, were selling for less than Tk 50 per kg.

Bottle gourd and ash gourd were also available within the same price range.

Abdul Hakim, a vegetable trader at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, said prices had stabilised because supply remained normal.

“Vegetables are arriving regularly at wholesale markets. Prices generally stay low at this time of year, and this season is no exception. Most vegetables are selling below Tk 50 per kg, though a few remain more expensive because they are out of season,” he said.

Hakim noted that vegetable prices tend to rise on Fridays.

“It is a holiday, so more people come to shop. Fresh vegetables also arrive in the market that day, and those usually cost Tk 10 to Tk 20 more,” he said.

At Town Hall Market, local cucumbers were selling at Tk 50 per kg and hybrid cucumbers at Tk 40 per kg. A week earlier, local cucumbers were selling at Tk 70 per kg, while hybrid cucumbers cost Tk 50 to Tk 60.

Pumpkin slices remained unchanged at Tk 30 each. Snake gourd prices fell by Tk 40 to Tk 40 per kg, while ridge gourd prices rose by Tk 20 to Tk 80 per kg.

Teasel gourd prices dropped by Tk 10 to Tk 50 per kg.

Yardlong beans were selling at Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kg, okra at Tk 30 and pointed gourd at Tk 40.

However, aubergine prices increased by as much as Tk 40 per kg.

Long and round aubergines were selling at Tk 100 per kg at Town Hall Market, while consumers at Karwan Bazar were buying them for Tk 70 to Tk 80.

Green chilli prices have started rising again after a brief decline.

On Thursday, they were selling at Tk 140 to Tk 160 per kg, compared with Tk 120 a week earlier.

Two weeks ago, they were available for Tk 80 to Tk 100.

Potatoes were selling at Tk 30 per kg, while onions remained unchanged at Tk 40 to Tk 45 per kg.

Egg prices have also started falling.

Farm-produced red and white eggs declined by Tk 10 per dozen over the week.

Red eggs were selling at Tk 120 per dozen and white eggs at Tk 110, down from Tk 130 per dozen for red eggs a week earlier.

Broiler chicken prices remained unchanged at Tk 160 to Tk 180 per kg.

Prices of Sonali chicken fell by as much as Tk 40 per kg and were selling at Tk 340 per kg.

Beef was selling at Tk 800 per kg at Mohammadpur Town Hall Market and Tk 780 at Karwan Bazar. Two weeks ago, beef was selling at Tk 850 per kg.

Mutton prices remained unchanged at Tk 1,300 per kg, while goat meat was selling at Tk 1,200 per kg.

Malek Miah, a fishmonger at Town Hall market, reported a drop in Ruhi fish prices.

"Ruhi weighing over two kg without eggs is selling for Tk 420 per kg, and those with eggs are going for Tk 350 to Tk 400," he said.

The same variety sold for Tk 460 to Tk 480 last week.

Pangas prices remained unchanged at Tk 180 to Tk 200 per kg.

Small tilapia was selling at Tk 130 per kg, while large tilapia remained at Tk 200 to Tk 220.

Tengra prices rose from Tk 500 to Tk 600 per kg over the week. Farmed pabda increased by Tk 50 to Tk 400 per kg, while wild pabda remained unchanged at Tk 500.

Farmed Koi fish were selling at Tk 400 to Tk 500 per kg, shing at Tk 300, and Silver Carp and Sarputi at Tk 200 per kg, unchanged from the previous week.