The prices of vegetables, fish and other essentials in kitchen markets over the past week saw a sharp fall while rice and edible oil prices are still being sold at high.
Most vegetables are available between Tk 30 and Tk 40 per kg. Buyers are happy that the price is within their reach.
While visiting different kitchen markets in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, this correspondent found such price variations of essential commodities.
The food ministry has allowed the import of rice by reducing tariffs to control the rice market. At present, Miniket rice is being sold between Tk 62 and Tk 63 per kg, Atash rice at Tk 50 to 52 per kg, Nazirshail rice at Tk 67 to Tk 68, Paijam rice at Tk 48 per kg and Guti Sorno selling at Tk 45 per kg.
The oil companies have increased the prices about three to four times in a month due to the increase in prices in the international market. At present, the prices in the international market have come down. At present, a 500 ml bottle of soybean oil costs Tk 65 to Tk 70 in the retail market. A 1 liter bottle is now Tk 120 to Tk 125. Five liter soybean oil bottle is Tk 580 to Tk 590. The price of onion has come down further this week from last week. This week local onion is being sold at Tk 30 per kg. Last week it was Tk 35. Last week, Dutch onions were sold at Tk 30 per kg. This week it is being sold at Tk 25 per kg.
Potatoes are being sold at Tk 15 in the big markets of the capital. However, it is being sold at Tk 20 per kg in the shops of the neighborhood. Indian lentil is Tk 60 per kg, local lentil is Tk 110 per kg. Garlic is being sold at Tk 120 to Tk 130 per kg and ginger at Tk 60 to Tk 70 per kg.
In the vegetable markets, it was found that, radish is selling at Tk 10 per kg, bean is selling at Tk 25 per kg, tomatoes are selling at Tk 40 per kg, turnip is selling at Tk 20 per kg, string bean is Tk 40, brinjal is Tk 20, cucumber is Tk 40, parwal is Tk 50, papaya is Tk 30, bitter gourd is Tk 30, okra is Tk 30, and carrots are being sold at Tk 40 per kg, per piece of cauliflower and cabbage is now Tk 20, per piece gourd selling at Tk 30.
Asadul Haq, a consumer at Karwan Bazar, told this journalist that, "We are happy with the vegetable price. We wish price should stay at a tolerable position in the coming Ramadan."
Boiler chicken is being sold at Tk 130 per kg, red cock chicken at Tk 200 per kg, beef at Tk 550 per kg and mutton at Tk 900 per kg.
In these markets, per kg chital fish was selling at Tk 450 to Tk 500 per kg, Awn fish at Tk 500, Rohi is at Tk 250 to Tk 350 per kg, Katla at Tk 170 to Tk 280, Tilapia sold at Tk 130 to Tk 150, Boal fish at Tk 400 to Tk 500, Pangas is sold at Tk 120 to Tk 150, Pabda sold at Tk 150 to Tk 250, and Shing sold at Tk 300 to Tk 450 (based on quality and size).
