Beef prices jump as food continues to get dearer

Traders blame the rise in transportation costs for the higher prices

Following surges in the prices of vegetables, chicken, eggs and soybean oil, butchers in Dhaka have started charging Tk 20 more for each kg of beef.

The upward revision means beef is selling at Tk 820 per kg from Friday. The demand for beef usually skyrockets on the weekend.

However, fish prices remained unchanged despite a supply disruption due to inclement weather.

Chicken is selling at the same higher prices as last week. The rates kept increasing gradually following heavy demand during Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.

Despite a push to bolster supplies, the higher prices of vegetables and eggs that came down following the fuel crisis triggered by the Iran war are still in place at Shanir Akhra, Jatrabari and Mohakhali kitchen markets.

The government on Wednesday increased the price of bottled soybean oil by Tk 4 per litre and loose oil by Tk 2.

Ashraful Islam, a vendor at Shanir Akhara, blamed higher transportation costs for the vegetable prices despite a supply boost.

“The wholesalers are charging us more following the hike in fuel prices,” said Ashraful, who purchases vegetables from Jatrabari, which is nearly 1km away from his shop.

The prices of all types of fuel were raised on Apr 18. After that, the commerce minister repeatedly said transportation costs and inflation will not be impacted due to the decision.

Papaya Nearly Doubles in Price

Considered a cheaper and more low-demand vegetable, green papaya is selling for a shocking Tk 80-100.

Its price almost doubled from Tk 60 two weeks ago.

Round aubergine is selling at Tk 140 per kg, while long aubergine remains at Tk 100. The prices were the same last week.

Ridge and sponge gourd are now priced at Tk 80 per kg.

The price of okra, which was selling for Tk 60 last week, stays unchanged.

Mohammad Jewel, a vegetable seller at Mohakhali, said they were charging Tk 50-60, but raised the price or bitter gourds by Tk 30 to Tk100 per kg.

Pointed grounds, cucumbers and long beans are selling at the same unchanged price of Tk 80 per kg as last week.

Bottled gourds are available at Tk 60-70, while green chillis at Tk 60-70 per kg.

The local variety of onions is priced at Tk 40-45 and arum lobe at Tk 80 per kg.

The prices in Jatrabari were found to be a bit lower than in the two other kitchen markets.

Butchers Blame Higher Shipping Costs

Jabedul Islam, a meat trader at Shanir Akhra, said they were “forced” to increase the beef prices given higher transportation costs.

“We sell the meat of up to four cattle every day. Now we are spending Tk 4,000-5,000 more on each cow. Hence, the beef price hike,” he said.

Beef was selling for Tk 750 per kg in the markets two weeks ago.

On Friday, mutton was priced at Tk 1,100-1,200 per kg.

Egg prices remain the same last week, selling for Tk 130 a dozen.

Broiler chicken is Tk 10 costlier now as traders are charging Tk 190 per kg.

However, Sonali chicken became Tk 10 cheaper, selling at Tk 350 per kg.

Fish Prices ‘Stable’ Despite Supply Crunch

A kilogram of carplet (Nola) fish in Jatrabari was selling for Tk 200. But in Mohakhali, it was going for Tk 360. Last week, the price was Tk 250 in both markets.

Stinging catfish (Shing) was selling for Tk 350-500 per kg in Mohakhali, where trader Montu Das said medium rohu fish was priced at Tk 320, down from Tk 350 per kg a week ago, while large ones sold at Tk 450.

Tilapia now sells at Tk 120-220, Bata fish at Tk 250-300, olive barb (Swarputi) at Tk 250 and silver carp at Tk 220 -- the same as last week. It was also the same for Pangas catfish, selling for Tk 220, and climbing perch (Koi), selling for Tk 320.

Local butterfish (Pabda) was priced at Tk 600 and the farmed butterfish at half the rate.

Mystus catfish (Tengra) is selling at Tk 500, marking a Tk 50 surge.