Prices of potato and other vegetables have increased further while that of eggs and chickens remained stable in the capital, giving no respite from the price hike of essentials to people.
Potato, a much consumed item, was selling at Tk 75-80 per kg at different markets in the capital on Friday while its price was Tk 70-75 in the previous week.
Prices of some other vegetables have also increased by Tk 10 to 20 per kg. However, prices of eggs and chickens remained stable with previous rate.
While visiting Rampura kitchen market, this correspondent found that potato was selling at Tk 75-80 per kg. The price increased by Tk 10 in just a few days, some consumers said.
Wholesale traders said potato prices are now ranging from Tk 75 to 80 per kg, up from Tk 65-70 compared to last week’s rate. Traders at Karwan Bazar, a major wholesale market in the city, said, “Potato price is very high this year, we hope the price will come down after arrival of new potato.”
Firoz Alam, a trader, told this correspondent, “There is no sign of getting respite for soaring potato price until new potatoes arrive. Although potato is being imported from India, there is still a shortage.”
Potato wholesalers said there is a shortage of potatoes in cold storage caused by excessive rain and floods in different districts like Munshiganj, Bogura, Rajshahi, and Rangpur. This has led to price hike of potato and other vegetables.
In some kitchen markets, potato is still being sold for Tk 70 to 75 per kg, while Indian-imported potato is retailing between Tk 100 and 120 per kg.
Meanwhile, vegetable prices have marked a slight increase, although not as steep as last month. Tomato and carrot are selling at a range between Tk 160 and 180 per kg. Barbati (hyacinth beans), bitter melon, and beans are selling for Tk 100 to 120 per kg. Potol (pointed gourd), dhenderas (a type of gourd), and papaya are available for Tk 50 to 60 per kg.
Some customers said the price of eggplant and barbati dropped by Tk 20 per kg last week but has increased again. Jhinga (sponge gourd), dhundul, and chichinga (snake gourd) are now selling for Tk 80 to 100 per kg, showing an increase in their prices compared to last few weeks’ rate.
It was found that prices of vegetables in Karwan Bazar are slightly lower compared to other markets.
Prices of leafy vegetables like kolmishak (amaranth), lalshak (red spinach), datashak (a variety of spinach), and pui shak (water spinach) have risen by Tk 5 per bunch.
Onion price are significantly high. Local onion are selling for Tk 130 to 150 per kg, while imported onion at Tk 110 to 120 per kg. Ginger and garlic have remained stable.
Prices of eggs and chickens remain stable. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk 180 to 190 per kg, while Sonali chicken was selling for Tk 300 to 310 per kg. Eggs (per dozen) was selling for Tk 150.
