Traders see mkt stable as govt able to curb extortion

The recent floods in at least 11 districts, triggered by heavy rainfall and hill slopes, have submerged crops in vast areas.

However, as floodwaters start to recede, the supply of raw vegetables and other essential products in the capital markets remains stable, though prices have slightly increased.

A market visit on Friday revealed that while the price of eggs has risen, the price of broiler chicken has dropped slightly.

Traders said the market is almost stable thanks to the interim government, which has been able to curb extortion in the highways.

Presence of students movement in the markets also is benefiting retailers and consumers, they said.

Farm eggs were retiled at Tk 155-165 a dozen on Friday marking Tk 5.0-10 a hike per unit in a week.

But broiler and Pakistani chicken showed a decline by Tk 10-20 a kg as broiler was retailed at Tk Tk 170-180 and Pakistani Tk 260-280 a kg.

Khademul Bashar, a vendor at Rayer Bazar, said the slight hike in egg prices is due to flooding and rain in many districts, especially in Cumilla and parts of Brahmanbaria.

Meanwhile, local onions are now selling at Tk 120-130 a kg, imported ones at Tk 110-115 a kg marking Tk 5.0-10 a kg hike in a week.

The vegetable market has shown a mixed trend as prices of some items have increased while few are declined.

Vegetables like pointed gourd, papaya, and okra were retailed at Tk 50-60 a kg. But brinjal, long-yard bean, teasel gourd, bitter gourd, eddo, clocasia stem were retailed at Tk 80-100 a kg, marking Tk m10 a kg hike in week.

Green chilli showed a up and down across the week are retailed at Tk 180-300 a kg.

Fish prices showed a slight reduction as seasonal hilsa weighing above 1000 grammes is being sold for Tk 1,800-2000 a kg while fish weighing 700-900 gramme are available for Tk 1,000-1,500 a kg.

Prices of other riverine and cultured fish also showed a slight decline, bring some relief for the consumers.

However, rice, pulses, edible oil, sugar, salt, wheat flour and other essentials, dominated mainly by big corporations, remained static at their previous highs.

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