Dhaka’s veg price pot boils over with Tk 250 aubergine but green papaya plays it cool

Aubergine prices are through the roof, with the large round ones selling at Tk 250 per kg

In Dhaka’s kitchen markets, almost no vegetable is available below Tk 80–100 per kg, except papaya.

Depending on variety and quality, aubergine is being sold for as high as Tk 250 per kg, while the prices of bitter gourd, okra and other vegetables have crossed Tk 100.

The only relief for consumers came from onions, which fell by Tk 10-15 per kg. Green chilli prices also dipped but remained around Tk 200.

Egg prices showed no sign of decline.

A visit to Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Shia Mosque kitchen market, Town Hall and Mohakhali markets on Friday revealed this picture.

Sonali chicken prices rose by Tk 10 compared to last week, now selling for up to Tk 330 a kg, compared with Tk 320 a week ago.

Broiler chicken prices also climbed by Tk 10, now selling at Tk 180-185, from Tk 170 last week.

On Friday, onions were being sold at Tk 75 per kg, down from last week’s Tk 90.

Mohammad Ali, who was buying onions at the Shia Mosque market, told bdnews24.com: “I bought onions for Tk 75 per kg. Just 15 days ago, it was Tk 55-60. How much more will these traders rob us?”

Sabuj Ahmed, an onion trader at the same market, said, “Last week onions reached Tk 90. It is mainly due to syndicates. Imports have also declined, which is why prices are high.”

At Town Hall market, rickshaw-puller Anwar Hossain, faced with red eggs at Tk 150 a dozen, opted for white broiler eggs at Tk 130.

“Egg prices are getting too high. What are we supposed to eat?” he asked.

Prices of lentils have also remained high. Local red lentils cost Tk 155-160 per kg, while larger grain lentils are still selling for Tk 105-110.

AUBERGINE AT TK 250

At the Mohakhali market on Friday, slim long aubergines were selling at Tk 120-140 a kg, while large round ones went for as high as Tk 250.

Other vegetables also saw steep prices: bitter gourd and okra at Tk 100-120, pointed gourd at Tk 70-80, sponge gourd at Tk 60-80, snake gourd at Tk 60, and taro stem at Tk 80-100.

Ridge gourd was selling at Tk 80-90, papaya at Tk 25-30, and green chilli at Tk 160-240 per kg depending on variety.

Bottle gourd was priced at Tk 50-60 each, tomatoes at Tk 140 per kg, carrots at Tk 140, local cucumber at Tk 100, and hybrid cucumber at Tk 70.

Lemons were available at Tk 20 for four, green bananas at Tk 50 for a four-piece bunch, wax gourds at Tk 50-70 each, and coriander leaves at Tk 400 per kg.

Other vegetables included teasel gourd at Tk 80 per kg, radish at Tk 60, pumpkin at Tk 30, while potatoes remained stable at Tk 20-25 per kg.

Among leafy greens, red amaranth rose by Tk 15, selling at Tk 25 a bunch.

Bottle gourd leaves were priced at Tk 40-50 a bunch, water spinach at Tk 10-15, Malabar spinach at Tk 40-50, and stem amaranth at Tk 20.