The prices of essential commodities in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar district have increased beyond people’s reach. The price hike is unprecedented in Sreemangal, as described by the buyers coming to various kitchen markets.
When this correspondent talked with people in a kitchen market in Sreemangal, it was learnt that Cauliflower is being sold at Tk 350 per kg, beans at Tk 300 per kg, tomatoes at Tk 200 to Tk 220 per kg, ridged gourd at Tk 100 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk 120 per kg, okra at Tk 100 per kg, long beans at Tk 120 per kg, jail kumra at Tk 80 to Tk 140 per piece, bottle gourd at Tk 70 to Tk 130 per piece, cabbage at Tk 120 per kg, radish at Tk 80 per kg, taro stem root at Tk 80 per kg, eggplant at Tk 80 per kg, olive at Tk 80 per kg, pointed gourd at Tk 80 per kg, two pair of green bananas at Tk 120, carrots at Tk 160 per kg, lau shak at Tk 80 per kg, green chili at Tk 280 per kg, taro shoots stem for 80 BDT per kg, snake gourd at Tk 80 per kg, and potatoes at Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kg.
The price of leafy vegetables has also skyrocketed. Taro leaves (kochur shak) is being sold at Tk 40 per bundle, bottle gourd shoots (laur doga) at Tk 60 per bundle, Malabar spinach (pui shak) at Tk 50 per bundle, water spinach (kolmi shak) at Tk 30 per bundle, lotus flowers at Tk 30 per bundle, and red spinach (lal shak) at Tk 40 per bundle.
At the fish market, Pangasius is being sold at at Tk 200 to Tk 230 per kg, tilapia at Tk 250 toTk 280, farmed koi at Tk 240 to Tk 300, pabda at Tk 400 to Tk 450, shing fish at Tk 420 to 450, kachki at Tk 400 to Tk 420, tengra at Tk 550 to Tk 800, rui at Tk 350 to Tk 400, silver carp at Tk 260 to Tk 300, katla at Tk 360 to Tk 450, and shrimp Tk 650 to Tk 900 BDT per kg. However, the prices of these vegetables and fish were Tk 20 to Tk 30 lower per kg just one or two weeks ago. The price of meat is also high. Beef is being sold at Tk 900 to Tk 1,000 per kg and mutton at Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,100 per kg. Additionally, broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 180 toTk 200 per kg and local chicken at Tk 600 to Tk 650 per kg.
A buyer Kawsar Islam said I came to the market to buy vegetables and fish. Now, I can't figure out what to buy after hearing the high prices. The prices of all types of vegetables have increased, and now the prices of vegetables have reached the level of fish and chicken. I can't afford these increased prices. However, I can't question anyone about why the prices have gone up. If I ask, I'll just hear endless excuses. But I can’t tell this to my family members either. I have to return home with a bag full of vegetables and fish.
A small time trader Himel said I can’t buy even vegetables with my income. The price of everything including vegetable and eggs is high.
Vegetable trader Mojammel said there is a there is a shortage of goods in the market. Due to the rain and flooding, there is a shortage of goods across the country. We have to buy vegetables at a high price and sell them at high price as well.
Assistant Director of Moulvibazar National Directorate of Consumer Protection Md Shafiqul Islam said we are ensuring fair price and access to safe food. I have been conducting market monitoring and awareness-raising activities across all the upazilas of the district. I have conducted drives at the egg and poultry markets of Sreemangal and fined several businesses for various irregularities. Additionally, the government has already formed special task forces across the country to control commodity prices.
