The prices of different kinds of vegetables have continued to rise in the city’s kitchen markets, hitting consumers’ pockets.
According to reports from several kitchen markets on Friday, no vegetable except for papaya could be bought below Tk 50. The price of papaya ranges from Tk 40 to Tk 50 per kilogramme.
However, most other vegetables were priced between Tk 60 and 80 per kg while some others such as brinjal, bitter gourd, beans, yardlong bean, and teasel gourd were selling at Tk 100 per kg. In addition, tomato and carrot were being sold at Tk 160 and Tk 180 per kg respectively.
Besides, the prices of potato and onion have been increasing for almost three weeks. Among them, the price of onion is increasing steeply, but the price of potato is rising slowly. Now local onion is being sold in the market at Tk 160 per kg. On the other hand, red and white potatoes are now being sold at Tk 70 per kg, up by Tk 5 from the last week.
During market visit on Friday, many consumers expressed frustration and dissatisfaction with the high prices of vegetables. However, vendors explained that most of the vegetables were out of season and new winter vegetables have yet to arrive in the markets, resulting in higher prices for the time being.
Prices of eggplant range from Tk 80 to Tk 100. Ridge gourd and luffa are being sold at Tk 60 per kg while kochur loti at Tk 80, snake gourd at Tk 60, yardlong bean at Tk 100, cucumber at Tk 80, beans at Tk 100, kochur mukhi at Tk 80, ladies finger at Tk 60, pointed gourd at Tk 60, sweet pumpkin at Tk 60, carrot at Tk 180, radish at Tk 60, per piece of small cauliflower and cabbage at Tk 50, teasel gourd at Tk 100, and green chilli at Tk 200.
Khorhsed Alam, a private jobholder shopping at the Mohakhali market said, “I expected the prices to drop with the arrival of winter vegetables, but most vegetables are priced at Tk 100 or more. Some vegetables are selling for Tk 60 to 80, which is still very high.”
Another customer at Malibagh kitchen market commented, “The vendors claim the prices have decreased, but they have only dropped from Tk 140–150 to Tk 100. This cannot be considered a price reduction rather it reflects an overall price hike. I have yet to see any effective market monitoring in place.”
Shoriful Islam, a vegetable seller in the Rampura market, explained that prices had slightly decreased compared to the past few weeks. However, most vegetables are still priced above Tk 100. Another retailer said that at this time of year, the vegetable season is ending and new vegetables are just arriving in the market. That’s why the prices are a bit higher. However, once the full winter harvest arrives, prices will likely go down.
Protests against price hike
Protests against rising prices of essential goods took place in the capital. On Friday morning, Notun Dhara Bangladesh (NDB) organised a rally in front of the National Press Club.
At the rally, NDB Chairman Momin Mehedi placed a four-point demand, including establishment of price control commission in all districts to protect consumer rights and stabilise prices, strict action to end extortion and price gouging, direct purchase of agricultural products by the government and selling them at fixed prices in local markets and publication of price lists in all markets and supermarkets, along with increased monitoring.
