Vegetable, green chilli prices high: Dhaka consumers feel the heat

Prices of green chillies, vegetables, and other commodities remain elevated in Dhaka's retail markets, despite a decrease in demand following the Eid holiday.

Green chillies cost Tk300-360 per kg, while cucumbers, bitter gourd, tomatoes, and ridge gourd exceed Tk100 per kg, in Dhaka retail markets. Onion prices have also risen by Tk10-14 per kg wholesale since Eid.

Market insiders link the price hike to reduced demand and lower vegetable supplies after Eid.

A visit to key kitchen markets in Dhaka, including Karwan Bazar, Shahjadpur, Badda, Rampura, and Hatirpool showed green chillies were sold for Tk80-90 per 250 grams or a maximum price of Tk360 per kg on Friday (21 June). 

Although the price reduces to Tk300-320 if purchasing a full kg. Notably, wholesale prices in Karwan Bazar are Tk240-320 per kg.

Md Emran Master, president of the Bangladesh Kachamal Aroth Malik Samity, said weather issues like drought and floods have reduced supplies of green chillies and bitter gourd.

"The tomatoes currently available are imported from India, which contributes to the higher price. Overall, the main reason for the high vegetable prices is the recent weather problems," he said.

Cucumbers are Tk140-160 per kg, bitter gourd Tk100-140, tomatoes Tk140-150, ridge gourd Tk80-100, and carrots Tk140-160 in retail markets currently.

"There are fewer customers at the moment. We are also bringing in fewer vegetables because demand is low. Low supply contributes to the higher prices," said Md Saiful Islam, a vegetable vendor in Shahjadpur.

Prices for other vegetables are also slightly elevated. Aubergine is currently selling for Tk80-90 per kg, green papaya for Tk50-60, yardlong bean for Tk70-90, and pointed gourd, sponge gourd, snake gourd, luffa, and okra are priced at Tk50-60 per kg. Bottle gourds are selling for Tk60-80 each, and cabbages are priced at Tk50-60 per head.

Vegetables in Karwan Bazar are cheaper than those sold by mobile vendors, with differences up to Tk30-40 per kg.

Emran Master suggested better monitoring of mobile vendors to address the price disparity.

"There is no oversight or accountability for these vendors. This lack of regulation may be a reason why vegetable prices are significantly higher in some neighbourhoods compared to Karwan Bazar. It is important to establish a system for monitoring these mobile vendors," he said.

Onion prices rise, potatoes remain stable

Onion prices have risen to Tk90-100 per kg for domestic and Tk100-110 per kg for imported.

On Thursday, domestic onions were selling for Tk84-86 per kg at wholesale, and imported onions were priced at Tk96 per kg. In comparison, wholesale prices for domestic and imported onions before Eid were Tk74-76 and Tk80-82 per kg, respectively.

Wholesale onion trader Md Babul Miah told TBS, "There were fewer deliveries of onions to Dhaka. The price of onions currently arriving in the city is higher. I do not know why the price is rising."

Potato prices, however, remain stable at Tk65 per kg retail and Tk58-60 wholesale.

Wholesale trader Md Elias said, "Traders now send their goods based on the prevailing market price in different locations. When the onions arrive at our warehouse, we have to sell them at the price they offer. If they can get a higher price in other markets, they will not bring them here."

He also added that if the price at the cold storage facilities is high, they cannot reduce the selling price.

Poultry, egg prices show slight increase

Broiler chicken prices have seen a slight rise, with retail stores selling them for Tk180-200 per kg representing a Tk10 per kg increase compared to pre-Eid prices.

Sonali chicken is currently priced at Tk320-350 per kg. The cost of brown eggs has also risen slightly, with a dozen selling for Tk150-160. White eggs are priced slightly lower at Tk145-150 per dozen.

Regarding the overall price situation, SM Najer Hossain, vice president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, expressed concern about a potential rise in profiteering among traders.

"There seems to be a growing trend among traders to seek excessive profits. Currently, demand for vegetables and chicken is supposedly lower. So why are prices increasing? The market needs proper monitoring, and supervision should be implemented wherever necessary."