Pre-Eid rush pushes up rice, beef, Sonali chicken and salad prices across Dhaka

Polao is now a must for guests. Even if they don’t eat it, it has to be on the plate, says a shopper

Kitchen markets in Dhaka have witnessed a sharp hike in the prices of aromatic rice, beef, and essential salad ingredients just a day before Eid-ul-Fitr, adding further strain to consumers already grappling with high inflation.

Buyers and sellers across Jatrabari, Kaptan Bazar, and Mohakhali reported that the price of aromatic rice has jumped by Tk 10 to Tk 25 per kg.

Loose aromatic rice is now selling for Tk 150 per kg, up from Tk 140 only two days ago.

Packaged varieties from several brands are retailing between Tk 160 and Tk 250, with previous discounts of Tk 10–15 per kg now largely withdrawn.

The demand for premium Basmati rice has also surged.

Imported Pakistani Basmati is being sold for as much as Tk 490 to Tk 500 per kg at Badamtoli, rising from Tk 400 just a week prior.

Indian Basmati varieties are available starting from Tk 200 per kg.

“Entertainment is incomplete without Polao, it has become a tradition. Even if some don't eat much of it, we have to serve it,” said Mohsin Uddin, a shopper at Mohakhali market.

Meat and Poultry Trends

The price of beef has hit Tk 850 per kg in Shantinagar, though it remained at Tk 800 in Jatrabari and Kaptan Bazar on Friday.

Despite starting the month of Ramadan at Tk 750, the price has refused to drop below the Tk 800 mark in most city markets.

Mutton is being sold for Tk 1,200 per kg, while goat meat is available for Tk 1,100.

In the poultry section, Sonali chicken prices have spiked by Tk 50 per kg over the week, now retailing at Tk 400.

Broiler chicken, however, remained relatively stable at Tk 220 per kg, slightly down from the Tk 230 seen during Shab-e-Qadr but still significantly higher than the Tk 170 recorded at the start of Ramadan.

“Many avoid broilers for health reasons and prefer Sonali. That high demand is driving the price up,” explained Halim Molla, a poultry trader.

Salad Staples Double in Price

The cost of making salad has effectively doubled overnight.

Tomatoes, which sold for Tk 30-40 on Thursday, jumped to Tk 50-60 on Friday.

Similarly, cucumbers are now retailing for Tk 80-100 per kg, up from the previous Tk 40-50.

Eggs are selling for Tk 110 per dozen, and a four-piece set of medium-sized lemons is costing between Tk 40 and Tk 60.