Shoppers at Dhaka's kitchen markets breathed a sigh of relief over the weekend as vegetable prices showed signs of stability, if not significant decline. A visit to various city markets on Friday revealed that while a few items still carried a steep price tag, most vegetables had settled at a more palatable rate for consumers.
Gone are the days - at least for now - when common veggies were selling at Tk 70-80 per kilogram. Currently, popular staples such as brinjal, pointed gourd (patal), ridge gourd (jhinga), and long beans (barboti) are available in the Tk 50-60 range.
Bitter gourd is holding at Tk 50, cucumber and bottle gourd (dhundal) at Tk 60, and radish at Tk 50. Even raw papaya and sweet pumpkin are now priced modestly at Tk 60 and Tk 40 per kg, respectively.
However, the high-flying kankrol continues to pinch pockets at Tk 80 per kg, with tomatoes joining the expensive club at Tk 70 per kg, a sudden surge from earlier weeks.
Khademul Islam, a private sector employee shopping in Malibagh, noted, "Prices have dipped since Eid. Veggies that cost Tk 70-80 a few days back are now available for Tk 50-60. It's a welcome change."
Shahiduzzaman, browsing the stalls at Moghbazar, added, "Most prices are down, but kankrol is still the priciest. Tomatoes have jumped unexpectedly. Still, the market is less punishing than before."
Rice markets showed mixed signals. While old miniket rice continues to retail at Tk 72-86 per kg depending on brand and quality, newly harvested miniket is a bit easier on wallets at Tk 70 per kg or less. Hossain Ali, a rice vendor, confirmed that new rice prices have fallen by Tk 100-200 per 25 kg sack, though older stocks have yet to follow suit.
In contrast, the fish market is turning up the heat. With a reported dip in the supply of farmed fish, prices have soared. Farmed shrimp now sells at Tk 750-800 per kg, while river shrimp commands an eye-watering Tk 1,000-1,200 - up to Tk 200 more than usual.
Other fish like koi, sing, shoal, tangra, and puti have also surged. Farmed rui and katla are going for Tk 320-360 per kg, tilapia at Tk 220-240, and pangash at Tk 200-250, each posting a Tk 20-50 hike.
