The arrival of cooler weather has yet to bring any relief to vegetable prices in Dhaka, with most common vegetables selling for between Tk 80 and Tk 200 per kilogram. The pressure on household budgets has been compounded by a fresh Tk 10 increase in the price of eggs per dozen, while fish and meat remain expensive.
Consumers say they are increasingly having to calculate every purchase as the cost of basic food continues to rise.
The situation was observed during visits to several markets in the capital on Tuesday (6 October).
Vegetable prices remain high
Tomatoes were selling for Tk 120–130 per kilogram, while carrots were priced at a similar rate. Long aubergines were available for around Tk 100 per kilogram and round aubergines for Tk 120. French beans were among the most expensive vegetables, with prices reaching Tk 200 per kilogram.
Local cucumbers were selling for Tk 80–90 per kilogram, bitter gourd for Tk 100, and kakrol for Tk 80–100. Okra, pointed gourd, snake gourd, ridge gourd and several other seasonal vegetables were generally priced at around Tk 80 per kilogram. Yardlong beans were selling for Tk 90, while taro stems cost Tk 80–100 per kilogram.
A whole bottle gourd was being sold for Tk 60–70. Olives, which have started appearing in markets ahead of the winter season, were priced at Tk 130–140 per kilogram. Green chillies were also costly, selling for Tk 140–160 per kilogram.
The prices have become a particular concern for people living on fixed or limited incomes. Shariat Ullah, a student of Jagannath University who was shopping at a market, said managing his monthly expenses had become increasingly difficult.
He said he had previously been able to cover his expenses through private tutoring, but rising food prices had forced him to seek additional financial support from his family.
Vegetable seller Akash Rahman said retailers also wanted to sell produce at lower prices, but their selling prices were largely determined by the rates at which they purchased vegetables.
“We have to survive as well,” he said, adding that prices could ease if supplies of winter vegetables increased in the coming weeks.
Egg prices rise while chicken remains steady
The price of chicken has remained broadly unchanged, with broiler chicken selling for Tk 180–190 per kilogram and cock chicken for Tk 310–330.
Beef was being sold for around Tk 800 per kilogram, while mutton cost Tk 1,250 per kilogram.
Egg prices, however, have increased. A dozen brown chicken eggs were selling for Tk 160, while white eggs cost Tk 150. Duck eggs were priced at Tk 180 per dozen. According to sellers, the price of chicken eggs has risen by Tk 10 per dozen, with four eggs now costing around Tk 55.
Egg seller Adnan Mia said retailers were also purchasing eggs at higher prices and therefore had little choice but to raise their selling prices.
Fish prices add to household costs
Fish shoppers are facing similar pressure. Depending on size and weight, hilsa was selling for Tk 1,200–2,700 per kilogram. Rui cost Tk 400–600, while katla was priced at Tk 350–650.
Prawns were among the more expensive options, ranging from Tk 800 to Tk 1,800 per kilogram. Kachki fish was selling for around Tk 500 per kilogram, while koi cost Tk 260.
Pabda was priced at Tk 400–600, shing at Tk 400–1,200, tengra at Tk 600–800, and pangas at Tk 220–240 per kilogram.
For many shoppers, the issue is no longer simply the price of one particular item. When vegetables, eggs, fish and meat all account for a larger share of household spending, families have to make difficult choices about what to buy and how much to purchase.
Sheikh Russell, who was buying fish, said he used to purchase larger quantities without worrying too much about the total cost. Now, he said, every item has to be considered against the available budget.
The current market picture is therefore one of rising food expenses rather than seasonal relief. Consumers are hoping that increased supplies of winter vegetables will eventually put some downward pressure on prices. Until then, many households in the capital are being forced to shop more cautiously, reduce quantities or reconsider what they can afford to put on the table.
