Broiler chicken prices drop, rice remains high 

Highlights 

•  Potato prices drop by 57%
•  Vegetable prices drop further 
•  Bottled soybean oil in short supply

Broiler chicken prices in Dhaka have decreased by around Tk20 per kilogram over the past two weeks, offering some relief to consumers, while rice prices remain as high as before.

The price of vegetables has dropped significantly due to increased supply.

Vegetable prices at Kalyanpur, Karwan Bazar and Hatirpool kitchen market have fallen across the board. Vendors attributed the drop to improved supply conditions.

Mohammad Firoz, a trader at Adarsha kitchen House in Karwan Bazar, told The Business Standard, "Two weeks ago, broiler chicken was selling at Tk200-210 per kg. Now the price has declined to Tk185-190 per kg."

Market stalls are now stocked with a variety of vegetables, including tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, turnips and radishes. 

Cauliflower is selling for Tk15-20 per kg, cabbage for Tk25-30 per kg, large gourds for Tk50 each, radish for Tk20 per kg and pumpkin for Tk20-25 per kg.

Abu Sufian, a shopper in Kalyanpur, said, "Vegetables are now affordable. A Tk100 purchase fills an entire shopping bag. However, I am worried about the farmers who are faced with losses. If this continues, they might reduce vegetable cultivation next year."

According to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), potato prices have fallen by 57% over the last month. Potatoes are now selling at Tk20-30 per kg, compared to Tk40-50 per kg during the same period last year.

Mohammad Mamun, a potato seller at Karwan Bazar, said he is currently selling potatoes at a wholesale price of Tk90 for 5-kg, and he expects prices to decline further. In the retail market, potatoes are being sold for Tk20-25 per kg.

Rice prices remain high

Despite the decline in vegetable and potato prices, prices of rice have remained high. 

A visit to several kitchen markets in Dhaka today (31 January) revealed that Miniket and Nazirshail are selling for Tk82-90 per kg, while medium-quality BR-28 rice is priced at Tk62-65 per kg.

TCB data show that the price of fine and coarse rice has increased by 0.65% and 6.67%, respectively, over the last month. Swarna rice is selling for Tk54-58 per kg, while Nazir and Miniket varieties range from Tk70-85 per kg, depending on quality.

Bottled soybean oil scarce in market

Retailers report a shortage of bottled soybean oil in many stores across the capital. The supply crunch is emerging ahead of Ramadan, raising concerns about price volatility.

Alamgir Hossain, a grocery store owner at the BRTC Market near Kalyanpur Bus Stand, said, "One-litre bottled oil is unavailable. Companies are only supplying 2-litre and 5-litre bottles, but even those are not meeting demand. 

"The government must go for strict monitoring measures now or the edible oil market could become unstable during Ramadan," he added. ***