Rice Prices Surge by Tk 2–3 per Kg, Vegetables and Eggs Also Remain Expensive

Staff Reporter

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Shoppers are having to spend extra money to buy rice, vegetables, eggs and fish in the capital’s markets. In the last one to one and a half weeks, the price of fine rice in the retail market has increased by 2-3 taka per kg and the price of medium-quality rice by 1-3 taka.

Traders say that the price of rice has increased due to the increase in the price of paddy and transportation costs. On the other hand, most vegetables are being sold at 70 to 120 taka per kg. A dozen eggs are sold at 155 to 160 taka. The price of green chili has decreased slightly.

Such images were found while visiting the markets of Karwan Bazar, New Market and Lalbagh in the capital on Friday and talking to buyers and sellers.

Miniket rice is now being sold in the market at 65 to 76 taka per kilogram, depending on the brand. Miniket of Diamond, Manjur and Sagar brands is priced at 74 to 75 taka. A week ago, the price of these rice was around 72 taka.

Rashid brand miniket is being sold at Tk 65 per kg. A week and a half ago, the price of this rice was Tk 63. On the other hand, the price of Mozammel brand miniket, which is comparatively more expensive, has increased by Tk 1 per kg to Tk 76.

The price of Nazirshail, another type of fine rice, has also increased. Nazirshail is being sold at Tk 70 to Tk 95 per kilogram, depending on the quality.

According to sellers, the price of this rice has increased by 2-3 taka per kg in the last one to one and a half weeks. Along with fine rice, the price of medium quality rice has also increased.

According to data from the government agency Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the market price of Pajama, Bri-28 and Bri-29 rice is Tk 58 to 65 per kg. The price of these rice has increased by about Tk 3 per kg in the space of a week.

Abul Bashar, owner of a wholesale shop in Karwan Bazar, said that the price of rice at the mill level has increased slightly in various parts of the country, including Kushtia. In some places, the price has increased by up to 50 taka per sack. Along with this, truck fares have also increased. Due to these reasons, the price of rice in the Dhaka market has increased.

Talking to a few other wholesalers, it was learned that after the price of diesel increased last month, the fare per truck to bring rice from Dinajpur has increased by about Tk 3,000 and that from Chapainawabganj by Tk 2,000. Along with this, other expenses have also increased.

As a result, they said, the price of rice has to be increased from 50 paise to 1 taka per kg.

Mizanur Rahman, a private sector employee who came to Karwan Bazar to shop, said, “I bought 28 kg of rice at the beginning of September for 60 taka. Towards the end of the month, I bought it for 62 taka. Today, I bought it for 64 taka. Shopkeepers say that truck fares have increased, the price of paddy and the price of rice in the market has increased; that is why the retail price has increased now.”

However, there is no significant change in the price of coarse rice. Currently, coarse rice is being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 55 per kilogram.

High-priced vegetable market

Along with rice, there is no relief in the vegetable market either. Most vegetables are being sold at Tk 70 to 120 per kg in the capital’s markets. The price of early winter vegetables, beans, is Tk 150 per kg. Each piece of cauliflower is being sold at Tk 70. Radish is priced at Tk 70 per kg. Papaya is available at a comparatively low price, Tk 30 per kg.

In the market, long brinjals are priced at 100 taka per kg, round brinjals at 120 taka. Tomatoes are being sold at 120 to 140 taka. Barabati, jhinga and bitter gourd are priced at 80 taka per kg. Gourds are priced at 40 to 60 taka per piece. Kachurmukhi is being sold at 80 taka per kg.

The price of cucumber is relatively low. Common cucumbers are available at 50 to 60 taka per kg. However, the price of local cucumbers is 80 to 100 taka.

Amid the high prices of vegetables, some relief has returned to the market for green chillies. A few weeks ago, the price of green chillies was 200 taka per kg. Now, depending on the quality, it is being sold for 120 to 140 taka. Sellers said that the price has come down due to increased supply.

Ferdous Ara, a private sector employee who came to buy vegetables at Karwan Bazar, said, “I bought two pieces of cauliflower for 140 taka. The vegetable is new, so I bought it even though the price was high. I bought a gourd for 50 taka and a pod of green chili for 40 taka. It costs a lot of money to buy a few vegetables. When I come to the market, I have to calculate which ones to buy and which ones to leave out.

Chicken prices stable, a dozen eggs cost 160 taka

There is no significant change in the price of chicken in the capital’s market. Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 180 per kg. Golden chicken is being sold at Tk 310 per kg.

Shah Alam, a broiler chicken seller, said that for the past few weeks, the price of broiler chicken has been fluctuating between Tk 180 and Tk 200 per kg. If it drops by Tk 10 one week, it increases by Tk 10 the next week. The price of golden chicken is usually between Tk 310 and Tk 320.

On Friday, he is selling golden chicken at a price of Tk 310 per kg.

However, there is no relief in the price of eggs. A dozen farm-raised chicken eggs are being sold at 155 to 160 taka in various markets. It costs about 55 taka to buy four eggs in neighborhood shops. Therefore, the price of a dozen eggs stands at 165 taka.

The price of beef remains unchanged. Beef is being sold at 800 taka per kilogram in the capital’s markets.

Fish prices are also high.

Buyers are also having to spend extra money in the fish market. Tilapia is being sold at 250 to 260 taka per kg. Pangasius is sold at 220 to 230 taka and Rui-Katla at 380 to 420 taka. Shrimps are sold at 1,000 to 1,300 taka per kg, depending on size and quality.

Apart from this, pabda is being sold at 350 to 400 taka per kg. Big rui is priced at 450 to 500 taka. Cultivated koi is available at 300 taka, and poya at 260 taka per kg.

The price of farmed horn fish varies from 300 to 450 taka depending on the size. Medium-sized rui is being sold at 300 to 350 taka per kg.

Md. Alfaz, a fish seller at Karwan Bazar, said that the demand for fish is higher on Fridays compared to other days of the week. Due to this, the prices of some fish also increase.

He also said that now very few fish are available for less than 200 taka. Earlier, the price of pangasius was comparatively low, but now it is also being sold for more than 200 taka per kg. The price of fish can change even on the same day depending on the supply.