Prices of rice, veggies drop in Dhaka markets

Prices of several rice varieties, summer vegetables, and broiler chicken have fallen over the past week in kitchen markets across the capital, while onion prices remained steady and potatoes saw a slight increase.

During visits to wholesale and retail markets in Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Ibrahimpur, Shewrapara, Kazipara and Mirpur-11 yesterday, traders and consumers confirmed the downward trend in prices.

Kamal Hossain, proprietor of Mokbul Rice Agency in Mirpur-11, said the fall in rice prices is due to the arrival of new harvests. "Last week, miniket rice of different brands was sold at Tk 75–90 per kg. Yesterday, I sold them at Tk 72–85," he said.

He said BR-28 and BR-29 varieties dropped to Tk 58–60 per kg from Tk 62–64 last week. However, the price of Nazirshail and coarse rice remained unchanged, retailing at Tk 75–92 and Tk 54–56 per kg respectively.

Summer vegetables, including eggplants, gourds, pointed gourds, okra, long beans, tomatoes, bitter gourds, and ridge gourds, are now selling at Tk 30–70 per kg.

Mozammel Hossain, a vegetable trader at Karwan Bazar, said prices dropped by up to Tk 10 per kg in a week, largely due to an abundant supply.

Sazzad Hossain, a shopper at the same market, said he bought a small-sized gourd at Tk 30, down from Tk 40 the previous week. "I also bought other vegetables and a 2kg broiler chicken. Prices seemed slightly lower overall," he added.

Traders said broiler chicken was being sold at Tk 150–170 per kg yesterday, down by Tk 10 from last week. The price of Sonali chicken, however, remained unchanged at Tk 240–280 per kg.

Meanwhile, onion prices held steady, with local varieties selling at Tk 55–60 per kg at retail and Tk 48–52 wholesale, said Sabuz Sheikh, a trader at Karwan Bazar.

Potato prices, however, edged up slightly to Tk 20–22 per kg, compared to Tk 18–20 last week.

Traders expect the trend in falling prices of some essentials to continue if supply remains stable in the coming weeks.