Meanwhile soybean oil marked another round of rise. Onion price remained static and prices of spices that soared before Eid did not come down even a week after the festival.

However, prices of farm chicken and eggs fell further while meat came down to its pre-Eid rate. Winter vegetables including potato are now available at reasonable prices. Prices of different varieties of rice are static.

In the city markets yesterday local ruhi was selling at 150-160 taka per kilogram, which was between 100-120 taka just before Eid. Imported varieties which were Tk 80-100 a kilogram are now being sold at Tk 100-120. Prawn sells at Tk 200-220 a kilogram which was Tk 180-200 and cat fish at Tk 300-350 which was Tk 250-300 before Eid. Pabda has become dearer by at least Tk 150 and now sells at Tk 550-600 per kilogram. Other varieties of fish also marked a similar rise.

Fish traders could not give any satisfactory reason for the sudden price hike. Some blamed the hoarders at the wholesale markets while others termed it 'natural' citing that the winter is on the wane.

Soybean oil which marked a steady increase in the last few months had jumped to a record Tk 56-58 a litre just before Eid. But it has risen further and is now being sold at Tk 58-60.

Local and Indian onions are static at Tk 22 and 20.

Market sources said prices of both soybean oil and onions are unlikely to go down before April because of 'some import factors'.

Farm chickens which fell to Tk 55 from Tk 65 before Eid because of bird flu fear have tumbled further to Tk 50 a kilogram in many city markets.

Among winter vegetables, tomato price decreased to Tk 10-12 from Tk 15-18 before Eid. Potato which was Tk 12-14 now sells at Tk 8-10 per kilogram.

Local beans now sells at Tk 10-12, carrot Tk 10-12, green tomato Tk 7-8, radish Tk 5-6, cucumber Tk 15-16, paupa Tk 5-6, brinjal Tk 12-14 and green chili at Tk 20-25.