Vegetable prices show upward trend  adding owes to city consumers

The winter vegetable market in Dhaka has seen a sudden surge in prices over the last few days, with several staples increasing by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kilogram. Even peak-season tomatoes are now priced beyond the reach of many buyers, while the cost of new potatoes has risen sharply, driving greater demand for older stocks.

However, prices of old potatoes have largely remained unchanged.

Traders attribute the price spike to extreme cold, which has hampered farmers' ability to harvest vegetables on time. Reduced supply in Dhaka markets has directly pushed prices upward. "It is peak season now, so the market will stabilise once temperatures rise slightly," said a local trader.
New potatoes are currently selling at Tk 30 to Tk 35 per kg, while old potatoes are priced between Tk 15 and Tk 20 per kg. Farmers and traders cite the shortage of agricultural workers, who find it difficult to work in the freezing cold and fog, as a key reason for the supply disruption.

According to the Meteorological Office, a mild cold wave has gripped northern districts for the past week. Day and night temperatures remain close, making the weather feel unusually cold. The extreme conditions have hindered fieldwork, creating a crisis of agricultural labour and slowing the harvest of early varieties of potatoes.

"The supply of potatoes in the market has decreased," said Azahar Ali, a Dinajpur-based potato wholesaler. "Even big traders are struggling to meet demand in Dhaka. That's why prices of new potatoes have risen, while old potatoes are being used to meet buyer demand."

A Sunday market survey at Nakhalpara, Agargaon Raw Market, and Karwan Bazar revealed rising prices across the board. Beans are now selling at Tk 40 to Tk 70 per kg, up from Tk 30 to Tk 50. Radish prices increased by Tk 10 per kg to Tk 40-45, while brinjal now costs Tk 50-60 per kg. Cauliflower, previously sold at Tk 25-30 per medium piece, has also seen a jump. Other vegetables, including palol, green chillies, tomatoes, and cucumbers, have also become costlier. Palol is priced at Tk 100-130 per kg, green chillies at Tk 80-100, tomatoes at Tk 100-120, and cucumbers at Tk 80-90 per kg. Traders attribute the rise in tomato prices to slow ripening caused by dense fog, limiting the available supply.

Farmers report that severe cold and heavy fog are delaying harvesting, especially in northern production areas. Shah Alam, a farmer from Dhunat, Bogura, said, "Before noon, the sun cannot even be seen. Due to the cold, people are reluctant to go to the fields, reducing the quantity of vegetables harvested."

Market observers believe that the situation is temporary. As temperatures rise and harvesting resumes, supply is expected to increase, bringing prices down. Until then, consumers will face higher costs for essential winter vegetables, with low-income households bearing the brunt of the cold-season price surge.