Vegetable Prices Soar Ahead of Eid, Poultry and Beef See Price Hike

Economic Desk

With Eid only two days away, the prices of summer vegetables, poultry, and beef have surged in markets across Dhaka, leaving many buyers burdened.

A visit to several city markets revealed a price hike of Tk 10–20 per kilogram for most summer vegetables, with no vegetable priced below Tk 80 per kilogram. Eggplants are being sold for Tk 90–120 per kg, bitter gourd for Tk 80–100, yardlong beans for Tk 120, okra for Tk 80, pointed gourd for Tk 100, sponge gourd for Tk 80, and drumsticks for Tk 160–180 per kg.

Vendors attribute the high prices to a limited supply of summer vegetables. They expect prices to normalize in two to three weeks as supply increases.

Winter vegetables, though at the tail end of their season, are still available but at elevated prices. Tomatoes are priced at Tk 30–40 per kg, cabbages at Tk 40–50, cauliflowers at Tk 50–60, and carrots at Tk 40–50 per kg. Leafy greens like red spinach, bottle gourd leaves, and amaranth are being sold at Tk 10–50 per bundle.

The price of poultry has risen sharply ahead of the festival. Broiler chicken, which was Tk 190–200 per kg two weeks ago, now costs Tk 220–235. Sonali chicken is being sold for Tk 330 per kg, hybrid Sonali for Tk 300, and indigenous chicken for Tk 600–650 per kg.

Beef prices have also increased, with regular cuts priced at Tk 780–800 per kg and goat meat at Tk 1,150–1,200 per kg. Meat sellers noted that prices typically increase before Eid but are likely to decrease afterward.

Despite the overall trend of rising prices, staples like potatoes and onions have remained stable. Potatoes are priced at Tk 25 per kg, while local onions are available for Tk 35–40 per kg. Imported garlic has seen a hike, costing Tk 210–220 per kg, while domestic garlic is priced at Tk 90 per kg.

Most spices have maintained steady prices due to adequate supply, though buyers claim sellers raised prices at the beginning of Ramadan.