Vegetable Prices Rise After Season Ends, Buyers in Distress; Fish Prices Also Increase

Staff Reporter

While buyers enjoyed some relief in vegetable prices during Ramadan before Eid, the end of the season has led to rising costs, causing increasing discomfort among consumers. Along with vegetables, fish prices have also surged, sparking frustration among buyers.

On April 11, Friday, such trends were observed in Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Model Town, and New Market areas of the capital.

At Karwan Bazar, average prices per kg were: bitter gourd (80 Tk), carrot (60 Tk), yardlong bean (80 Tk), tomato (40-50 Tk), colocasia stem (100 Tk), drumstick (80-100 Tk), okra (60 Tk), pointed gourd (80 Tk), ribbed gourd (60 Tk), eggplant (90 Tk), papaya (70 Tk), beans (60 Tk), potato (30 Tk), green chili (70 Tk), cucumber (60 Tk), and sweet pumpkin (30 Tk).

However, in Mohammadpur Model Town and New Market, vegetables were being sold at 5 Tk higher on average compared to Karwan Bazar.

Arif Hossain, a buyer at Karwan Bazar, said, “Prices were stable during Ramadan, but now vegetables are getting costlier. Fish prices are also high.”

Vegetable vendor Shafiq Mia explained, “Prices are rising as winter vegetables are running out.”

Fish Market Also Expensive
Like vegetables, fish prices have also increased. Normally, shrimp sells for 60-150 Tk per kg, but now farmed shrimp is priced at 650-750 Tk, while river shrimp sells for 1,300 to 1,800 Tk depending on size.

Large-sized rohu fish sells for up to 800 Tk, medium-sized for 400 Tk, catla for 600 Tk, tilapia for 250 Tk, and pangas for 200-250 Tk.

Other fish like koi, shing, shol, and punti are also selling at higher prices—large shing for 600 Tk, small for 500 Tk, river shol for 800 Tk, farmed shol for 400 Tk, punti for 300 Tk, and koi for 250 Tk.

Private sector employee Hamidur Rahman said, “Every time I come to buy fish, prices keep rising. Shrimp that was 600 Tk is now 650 Tk.”

Another buyer added, “All fish prices have increased by 50-60 Tk. If this continues, middle-class families will suffer more.”

Fish vendor Sajid said, “Suppliers are selling farmed fish as river fish, forcing us to sell at higher prices.”