Prices of chicken and rice have increased in the city's capital market ahead of Eid Eid-ul-Fitr.
Besides, the prices of vegetables remained stable and their supply was normal.
While, visiting the various kitchen markets in the capital on Friday, it was seen the price of broiler and sonali chicken has increased by Tk20 per kg within a week, while fine rice has gone up by Tk 5 to Tk8 per kg over the past fortnight.
Traders were selling broiler chicken at Tk 210 to Tk 220 per kg yesterday while it was between Tk 190 and Tk 200 per kg last week. Similarly, sonali chicken has increased to Tk 300 to Tk 320 per kg.
"A demand supply mismatch has pushed up the chicken prices ahead of Eid," said Zahirul Islam, a chicken trader in the capital's Malibagh area, adding that the demand for broiler chicken has increased in the market for a week, but the supply is relatively low.
He said even many people are now buying chicken in advance for Eid.
The price of Miniket rice has risen again, with retailers reporting an increase of Tk5-8 per kg in the past two weeks. It increased Tk 500 per sack (50 kg) at the mill level, and so the price of the staple is also increasing rapidly in the retail
market.
On Friday, popular brands such as Rashid, Diamond, Sagar, and Mozammel were selling at Tk85-88 per kg, while Mozammel rice was priced at Tk98-100 per kg, making it the most expensive.
Meanwhile, the rice market has been unstable for the last four months. Although Miniket rice was sold at Tk 3300 per sack (50kg) at the mill level in December last year, in January it increased by Tk 600 to Tk 700 per 50 kg sack and was sold at Tk 3900 to Tk 4000.
However, the price has decreased slightly, while 15 days ago, when a 50kg sack of Miniket rice was sold at Tk 3850, on Thursday was sold at Tk 4200 to Tk 4400.
Besides, a 50 kg sack of BR 28 rice was selling at Tk 2700 and the same quantity of rice was sold for Tk 2500 four months ago.
Regarding the price hike, Kawran Bazar's Allah'r Dan Rice Agency owner and wholesale rice trader Siddiqur Rahman said, new miniket rice will be released in the market in Boishakh.
Now there is a shortage of this fine quality rice. Only four millers--Teer, Manjur, Sargor and Mozammel-- have the stock of miniket rice. They are now selling the rice at higher prices taking advantage of the situation.
Meanwhile, beef is being sold at Tk 800 per kg in kitchen market, which was sold at Tk 750 last week. In addition, mutton is being sold at Tk 1200 per kg and goat meat is being sold at Tk 1100.
However, the price of fish is unchanged in kitchen market. Several varieties of fish, including pangas, talapia, sarpunti, are being sold around Tk 200.
In the market, large-sized rui fish is being sold at Tk 350 to Tk 400 per kg, katal is being sold at Tk 300 to Tk 350.
In addition, coral fish is being sold at Tk 700 to Tk 750, farmed koi is being sold at Tk 250, pabda is being sold at Tk 350 to Tk 400, hilsa is being sold at Tk 800 to Tk 1200 per kg.
Meanwhile, some new vegetables like sajna (drumstick) and patol (pointed gourd) are being sold at higher prices in the market, but the prices of other vegetables have remained largely stable. Sajna is being sold at Tk 140 to Tk 180 per kg and patol at Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kg.
Potatoes are being sold at Tk 20 to Tk 25 per kg, onions at Tk 40 to Tk 50 and tomatoes at Tk 20 to Tk 30 per kg, which is lower than at any other time of the year.
Like vegetables, the prices of eggs have also remained unchanged over the week. A dozen eggs are available at Tk 120 to Tk 130. In addition, the prices of various products in the grocery market have remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, the supply of canned soybean oil has improved but remains insufficient to meet the growing demands ahead of Eid, according to retailers.
