Vegetable Prices Soar Across Dhaka Markets

Low- and middle-income households in Dhaka are facing mounting financial pressure as the prices of essential commodities continue to rise, with vegetables and green chillies becoming particularly expensive. The sharp increase in the cost of everyday food items has made weekly grocery shopping increasingly difficult for many families, forcing them to cut back on purchases and rethink household budgets.

A visit to Mohammadpur Town Hall Market in the capital on Friday (31 July) found that, apart from papaya and sweet pumpkin, most vegetables were selling for around Tk100 per kilogram. Green chillies, a staple ingredient in Bangladeshi cuisine, have recorded one of the steepest price increases, reaching Tk400 per kilogram.

Although the price of ordinary rice has remained largely stable, consumers are paying considerably more for premium varieties. Polao rice, for example, was selling for approximately Tk200 per kilogram, adding another layer of pressure on households already struggling with rising food costs.

Sohail, a private-sector employee who was shopping for his family’s weekly groceries, said the current market prices no longer allow him to buy everything he needs. He explained that several items now have to be left off his shopping list because of their high prices. Vegetables and green chillies, in particular, have become too expensive for many ordinary consumers, he said.

Similar concerns were echoed by other shoppers in the market. Many said the sustained increase in the prices of essential food items over recent weeks has made it increasingly difficult to manage monthly household expenses. Families living on fixed or limited incomes are being forced to prioritise only the most necessary purchases, while reducing both the quantity and variety of food they buy.

Traders attributed the continued high prices largely to supply conditions. They said that unless the supply of vegetables and other perishable goods improves, retail prices are likely to remain elevated in the coming days. According to them, a more stable supply chain would be essential for bringing prices back to a more affordable level.

The latest market situation reflects the broader cost-of-living pressures facing consumers across the capital. Food accounts for a significant share of household spending, particularly among lower-income families. As a result, sustained increases in the prices of everyday essentials have a direct impact on purchasing power and household financial stability.

Consumers are now hoping for improved market supplies and greater price stability in the coming weeks. Until then, many households are expected to continue adjusting their spending patterns, limiting discretionary purchases and seeking lower-cost alternatives in an effort to cope with the persistent rise in essential commodity prices.