Prices of eggs, spices go up

While prices of summer vegetables and broiler chicken remained stable in Dhaka's kitchen markets over the past week, the cost of beef, eggs, and several spices saw an uptick.

During visits to several wholesale and retail markets -- including Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Ibrahimpur, Shewrapara, and Kazipara -- traders and consumers said ample supply has helped keep the prices of most vegetables in check.

Summer produce such as eggplants, gourds, pointed gourds, okra, long beans, tomatoes, bitter gourds, and ridge gourds were selling for Tk 30–70 per kg. Onion was priced at Tk 50–60 per kg, while potatoes were available at Tk 20–22 per kg.

Saifur Rahman Chowdhury Sujan, general secretary of the Karwan Bazar Brihattar Paikari Kacha Bazar Arot Byabasayi Malik Samity, said, "The supply of vegetables is currently greater compared to the demand, contributing to the recent fall in prices."

Abu Raihan, a resident of Tejkunipara who was shopping for vegetables and groceries at Karwan Bazar yesterday, said vegetable prices have remained stable over the past few weeks. However, the prices of other essentials such as soybean oil, eggs, and certain spices have been on the rise.

He called for stricter market monitoring to keep prices in check.

The prices of sugar and lentils have also dropped slightly. Md Gofran, proprietor of Cumilla General Store, said sugar prices declined from Tk 120 to Tk 115 per kg, and local lentils are now selling for Tk 130 per kg, down from Tk 140 two weeks ago. Soybean oil prices, however, remained unchanged after a previous hike.

Traders said broiler chicken was being sold at Tk 150–170 per kg yesterday. The price of Sonali chicken also remained unchanged at Tk 240–280 per kg since last week.

In contrast, beef and egg prices have gone up. Abdul Kader, a beef vendor in East Shewrapara, said he is now selling beef at Tk 800 per kg, up from Tk 780 last week. "With Eid approaching, the demand for cattle has increased, which in turn pushed up beef prices," he said.

Eggs are now being sold for Tk 125–140 per dozen, compared to Tk 120–135 a week ago.

Prices of key spices also rose this week. Cardamom is now Tk 5,000–6,000 per kg -- up by Tk 200 -- while cumin is priced at Tk 600–700 per kg, slightly higher than two weeks ago.

The cost of imported ginger rose to Tk 110–220 per kg, compared to Tk 110–200 last week. Both local and imported garlic saw a hike: local varieties are now Tk 110–160 per kg, up from Tk 100–150, while imported garlic is selling for Tk 185–240 per kg, up from Tk 170–240.