After several weeks of high prices, green chilli and eggs have brought some relief to kitchen markets in the capital. Chilli prices have fallen as imports from India increased and supply from various parts of the country returned to normal. Most vegetables, however, remain expensive. Shim, the early winter bean, is selling at up to Tk200 a kilogram.
That was the picture on Friday, Aug 14, at several kitchen markets in the capital, including Malibagh, Rampura and Karwan Bazar.
Traders said a shortage of green chilli had developed over recent weeks after floods damaged chilli fields in several parts of the country, pushing prices up to Tk300 a kilogram. Supply has risen and prices have begun to fall since imports from India increased. On Friday, green chilli was selling in retail markets in the capital at Tk160 to Tk200 a kilogram depending on quality.
The egg market has also eased. Farm-produced brown eggs are selling at Tk140 a dozen and white eggs at Tk130, about Tk10 a dozen less than last week. Buyers complain that neighbourhood shops are still charging Tk145 to Tk150 a dozen.
Most vegetables are selling at between Tk60 and Tk80 a kilogram. Tomatoes and carrots are Tk100 to Tk140, brinjal and bitter gourd Tk80 to Tk120, pointed gourd, okra and cucumber Tk60, and ridge gourd, snake gourd and sponge gourd Tk70 to Tk80 a kilogram. Bottle gourds are Tk60 to Tk80 each depending on size, and new shim is selling at up to Tk200 a kilogram.
There is little relief in the fish and meat markets either. Broiler chicken is selling at Tk180 to Tk190 a kilogram and sonali chicken at Tk320 to Tk340. Beef is Tk780 to Tk850 and mutton Tk1,200 to Tk1,300 a kilogram.
In the fish market, farmed pangas is selling at Tk220 to Tk250 a kilogram and rui and katla at Tk340 to Tk420.
A private-sector employee shopping at Karwan Bazar said: “The fall in green chilli prices is a relief. But other vegetables, fish and meat are still expensive. Market monitoring needs to be strengthened further.”
Traders say that although prices of some goods have fallen in the wholesale market, the effect has not fully reached retail. Relief has returned to the market, but it remains limited.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report