Veggie prices go up in Dhaka markets

Prices of most vegetables, except for potatoes, have increased by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kilogramme over the past week in the capital's kitchen markets.

A kilogramme of green papaya was sold at Tk 80 yesterday, up from Tk 70 a week earlier.

Eggplants, pointed gourds, spiny gourds, okra, bulbous roots, long beans, and ridge gourds were selling for Tk 70 to Tk 120 per kg, showing an increase of about Tk 10 per kg.

The price of tomatoes also rose by Tk 10 per kg within a week. Meanwhile, onion prices reached Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kg, up from Tk 40 to Tk 45 about a couple of weeks ago.

However, potato prices remained unchanged, with five to six kilogrammes being sold at Tk 100 in different kitchen markets yesterday.

Jamal Hossain, a vegetable seller at Karwan Bazar kitchen market, yesterday said prices of many vegetables have risen by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kilogram compared to last week.

Irfan Hossain Nayeem, a private jobholder, visited the Ibrahimpur kitchen market in Kafrul yesterday to buy vegetables.

Speaking to this correspondent, Irfan said he could not find any vegetable item priced below Tk 80 per kg, except for potatoes and tomatoes.

"Even though the prices of vegetables were low during Ramadan and the entire winter season, they have increased now," he added.

Nayeem said he had to buy fewer vegetables due to the high prices.

Md Ismail Hossain, a vendor who sells vegetables from a rickshaw van in East Shewrapara, said prices have been increasing over the last seven to eight days.

He said he buys vegetables from the Mirpur-1 wholesale market and sells them at retail in Shewrapara.

"Now, as prices go up, many of my regular customers even try to bargain, as they are uncomfortable with the price hike," he said.

Saifur Rahman Chowdhury Sujan, general secretary of the Karwan Bazar Brihattar Paikari Kancha Bazar Arot Byabshayi Malik Samiti, said over the past seven to 10 days, the supply of vegetables to the capital's markets has slightly declined.

As a result, the prices of several items have increased over the week, he added.

He further said that during the winter, both production and supply of vegetables were sufficient, which kept prices at a tolerable level in the capital's markets.

Saiful also said the supply of potatoes to the capital's markets remains smooth, which has helped keep their prices low.

However, despite satisfactory onion production, many people are hoarding this essential cooking ingredient, which has reduced its supply compared to the demand in the markets, he also said.

As a result, onion prices have increased in the capital's markets, he added.