Vegetable and Chicken Prices Soar, Green Chili at Tk 320 per Kg

Staff Correspondent

The supply of vegetables and chicken has decreased in the capital and various parts of the country. As a result, prices of several essential commodities have suddenly increased in the market. The price of green chili has seen the steepest rise—where it was Tk 80–120 per kg a week ago, it has now jumped to Tk 260–320.

This scenario was observed on Thursday while visiting the kitchen markets of Rampura, Badda, Mohakhali, and Joar Sahara in the capital. In the retail markets, the prices of various vegetables, alongside green chili, have gone up by Tk 10–20 per kg, putting consumers in a bind.

A market visit showed the following prices:
Eggplant: Tk 80–120, Bitter gourd: Tk 80–100, Teasel gourd and ridge gourd: Tk 80, Tomato: Tk 140–160, Cucumber: Tk 60, Pointed gourd: Tk 50–60, Bottle gourd (per piece): Tk 60–80, Ash gourd (per piece): Tk 50–80.

Vegetable vendors said that continuous rainfall over the past three days has flooded farmlands in various areas, disrupting the supply of green chili and other vegetables. Additionally, transportation issues at the farm level have caused a price hike in chicken as well.

Md. Saiful Islam, a retail vendor in Badda, said, “There is no green chili in the wholesale market. So we are forced to buy at high prices and sell at high prices. Today, I bought it at Tk 240 per kg.”

At the same market, housewife Parveen Sultana said, “Just a few days ago, I bought 250 grams of green chili for Tk 25. Today they are asking for Tk 70! If prices double overnight like this, how will ordinary people do their shopping? People are struggling with the rising prices of essentials.”

An upward trend was also observed in the chicken market:
Sonali chicken: Tk 290–320 per kg, Broiler chicken: Tk 170–180 per kg, Eggs (per dozen): Tk 130.

Poultry traders said chickens are not being brought to the market properly from farms. A limited number of chickens are arriving, and transportation costs have also gone up. Overall, prices have increased.