At a time when people are being afflicted due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, prices of different varieties of vegetables have hiked, doubling their woes.
The rising trend of prices of essentials in the city markets is likely to continue until the arrival of winter vegetables as rice price also shows an upward trend.
Moreover, the prices of loose edible oil and sugar have gone up. Per liter loose soybeans oil price has increased by Tk 3 to Tk 5. But fish, meat, chicken, eggs, pulses and spices prices remain unchanged.
The scenario was found in the capital’s Karwan Bazar, Rampura, Malibagh, Segunbagicha, Fakirapul, Motijheel T&T Colony Bazar and Khilgaon kitchen markets on Friday.
Low-income people are in dire straits as prices of all kinds of vegetables have been high for last couple of weeks. At the same time, rising prices of onions and rice are increasing their worries.
However, buyers are reluctant to accept the excuse of rising prices due to rains and floods. They urged the authority concerned to increase market surveillance and bring unscrupulous traders under punishment. The price of imported onion has also increased in the capital market this week. At the same time, despite having sufficient stocks, rice price has gone up by Tk 2 per kilogram (kg). On the other hand, Atash rice is selling at Tk 50 per kg, Paijam rice at Tk 48 per kg, Miniket rice at Tk 58 per kg and Nazirshail rice at Tk 55 per kg.
The price of imported onion has gone up by Tk 10 per kg, though it came down a bit last week. And local onions are selling at the previous high price. Per kg sugar is now selling at Tk 65.
Despite having adequate stocks, traders are raising prices, said the Directorate of National Consumer Protection. However, they are continuing their drives to keep market stable.
At Rampura Kitchen Market, string bean is selling at Tk 80 to Tk 90 per kg and bitter gourd is Tk 50 to Tk 70 per kg. Based on size and quality, cucumber is selling at Tk 50 per kg, carrot is Tk 80 per kg, snake gourd is Tk 60 per kg, ribbed gourd and sponse gourd is Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg, teasle gourd is Tk 60 to Tk 70 per kg, palwal is Tk 60 per kg, brinjal is Tk 60 per kg, tomato is Tk 120 er kg, okra is Tk 60 per kg and sweet gourd is selling at Tk 40 per kg.
On the other hand, green chili is selling at Tk 150 to Tk 170 per kg, while potato is Tk 40 per kg and papaya is selling at Tk 45 per kg.
Meanwhile, prices of meat, chicken, and egg remain same. Meat is selling at Tk 550 to Tk 600 per kg and mutton at Tk 750 per kg. Broiler chickens are selling at Tk 125 per kg, Pakistani chicken at Tk 220 per kg, layer chicken at Tk 220 and local chicken at Tk 470 per kg. Per dozen egg price is Tk 110.
