Prices of vegetables like cucumbers, brinjal and other items increased abnormally on the pretext of lockdown. Other vegetables including parwal, okra, and string bean were not available below Tk 60 per kilogram (kg) at different kitchen markets in the capital on Friday.
Retailers are blaming the syndicate for the unusual price hike. Meanwhile, the price of all types of chickens shot up again in the lockdown.
Demand for cucumbers, brinjal and lemons remained high at the advent of the holy Ramadan. Traders were selling those items at double price than usual.
On Friday, while visiting different markets in the capital, including Karwan Bazar this correspondent found that the price of cucumber had gone up and was selling at Tk 80 to Tk 110 per kg, Brinjal was being sold at Tk 80 and lemon at Tk 40 Tk 50 (four pieces).
Bean was selling at Tk 60 per kg which was available at Tk 40 last week, gourd was selling at Tk 70 per piece, tomato was selling at Tk 50 per kg, carrots was at Tk 40, potato was selling at Tk 25 per kg while pumpkin was being sold at Tk 30 per piece.
Buyers have demanded market monitoring in this situation. They said the prices of almost all the vegetables were higher compared to last week.
A vegetable trader at Rampura Bazar said, “Vegetables including brinjal is in high demand during the Ramadan. This time too it was no exception. The price of bringal has gone up due to increase in demand. Despite the increase in prices, there is ample supply of brinjal in the market”.
Wholesalers in Kawran Bazar said, “Many vegetables could not be supplied due to the lockdown. As a result, prices have risen. However, if there is no supply problem, the situation will return to normal.”
On the other hand, dried chili was selling at Tk 200 per kg, garlic at Tk 80 to Tk 120 per kg, and ginger was selling at Tk 100 per kg. Turmeric was being sold at Tk 160 to Tk 240, sugar was selling at Tk 80 per kg in the market.
BR-28 rice was selling at Tk 45 to 48 per kg, Miniket at Tk 65, Nazirshail at Tk 65 to 70, Sowrna rice at Tk 48 to 50. One liter loose edible oil was being sold for Tk135 to Tk 139.
One dozen broiler eggs were being sold at Tk 85, duck eggs at Tk 135, while local chicken eggs were being sold for Tk180 per dozen.
Sonali chickens were selling at Tk 270 to Tk 280 per kg, broiler chickens at Tk 145 to Tk 150 per kg and layer chickens were being sold at Tk 210 to Tk 220 per kg.
The prices of beef and mutton, spices and other products remained unchanged in these markets. Mutton was being sold at Tk 700 to Tk 750 per kg while beef was available at Tk 580 per kg.
