ggs, Pangasius and Tilapia No Longer Affordable for the Poor

 ❐ Staff Reporter

The prices of daily essential non-vegetarian food items are continuously increasing in the markets of the capital. The prices of beef and mutton have increased in particular in the past few weeks, making it almost impossible for the general low-income population to buy them.

According to ordinary shoppers who came to the market, ‘Even inexpensive foods like eggs, pangasius, and tilapia have disappeared from the livelihood of the poor.

Pictures from several retail markets in Dhaka show that one kilogram of beef is currently being sold for 850 taka, which was available for 800 taka a few days ago. As a result, the price per kilogram has increased by 50 taka, which is approximately 6.5 percent in percentage terms.

The same situation exists in the mutton market. The price of mutton, which used to be available at Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,250 per kg, has now increased to Tk 1,300—meaning an additional cost of Tk 50 to Tk 100 per kg.

Not only limited to the meat market, the prices of eggs, broiler chickens, and relatively affordable fish are also now crossing the purchasing power of the poor. A dozen farm eggs have been seen selling for up to 160 taka in the city’s retail market.

In addition, the price of broiler chicken has risen to Tk 200 per kilogram and that of pangasius and tilapia fish has risen to Tk 240 per kilogram.

Van driver Hasanul Haque shared his experience of coming to buy daily necessities at the capital’s Kawran Bazar. He earned 650 taka by driving the van all night, which is enough to support his entire family.

Describing his hardships, he said, “In the past, one could eat a plate of rice with at least one egg. But now, the sky-high price of eggs makes it difficult to buy them. I cannot afford to buy beef with the amount of money I earn; I don’t even remember the last time I bought it.”

He also mentioned that he had bought broiler chickens a few days ago. Even the pangasius and tilapia fish that were the mainstay of hard-working people like him are now facing difficult situations in purchasing them.

Hasanul Haque’s plea, ‘My little daughter is determined to eat meat, but it is not possible to buy it after meeting all the family expenses with this small income.’

If you calculate it, it can be seen that a mere 50 taka increase in the price of beef per kg is costing people like Hasanul about 8 percent of their daily income. This makes it clear how much of a blow even a small price increase can have on the budgets of low-income families.

SM Nazer Hossain, vice-president of the central committee of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), commented that the hard-working people have suffered immensely due to the high prices of almost every product in the market.

He alleged that dishonest syndicates are extorting money from consumers by increasing the prices of these products, and therefore it is necessary to strengthen the surveillance of the relevant authorities in this regard.

On the other hand, Director General of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department Md. Zahirul Islam said that a surveillance campaign is being conducted to ensure that the market price of eggs remains normal and strict action will be taken if evidence of price increase through illegal manipulation is found.

However, the harsh reality on the ground tells a different story – despite the abundance of supervision and assurances, the prices of meat, eggs, and fish continue to rise in the market, which is directly affecting the daily eating habits of the lower class people.