The prices of winter vegetables except potato decreased slightly as the supply increased but meat and fish prices were still high in the kitchen market of the capital on Friday, reports UNB.
Though the prices of vegetables decreased, it was selling at prices up by Tk 20 to 30 per kg compared with the same period of the last year. Comparatively, vegetables and all other commodities are exactly higher this year, than recent previous years, said Harun-Ur Rashid, a retired employee of the government.
Talking with the UNB at Karwan Bazar kitchen market, he said potato, tomato, and carrot prices usually remain between Tk 20 to 40 per kg during this time of season. But these items are selling at Tk 60 to 70 per kg based on quality.
These additional prices have become a burden for retired and fixed-income groups. Thus decreasing the prices of vegetables by Tk 10 to 20 per kg is not bringing any relief to the consumers, he said.
However, almost all winter vegetables were selling at Tk 40 to 70 per kg in the Karwan Bazar on Friday.
Potato was selling at Tk 60 to 70 per kg, onion at Tk 70 to per kg based on quality, garlic at Tk 220 per kg, and ginger at Tk 200 to 240 per kg in different markets of the capital.
On the other hand, discomfort remained in the fish and meat market. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk 200-220 per kg, and Sonaly chicken (Pakistani variety) at Tk 320-340 per kg. Beef, which was sold at Tk 650 at many places a couple of weeks ago, was being sold at Tk 700 per kg everywhere.
Brown eggs (hens) were selling at Tk 135 to140 per dozen 5-10 taka less than the price of white eggs. Duck eggs were selling for Tk 180 to 190 per dozen while eggs of indigenous domestic chicken were selling at Tk 210 per dozen.
The prices of fish were higher compared with a few months ago. However, Tilapia, pangas, and carp were selling at Tk 220 to 260 per kg.
Asked about the price hike, Director General of the Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP) AHM Shafiquzzama told UNB that his office would launch a drive against the unusual price hike of these essentials.
He also said that a few months ago he asked different ministries and directorates to take steps to increase the supply of essentials including onions and potatoes to control prices.
Shafiquzzama said during a visit to different cold storage in different districts he found enough stock of potatoes, despite the price increase.
If the higher price of onion and potato continue, the government will decide to import those items, he said.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh vice-president SM Nazer Hossain said consumers in Bangladesh are having a hard time amid record prices of commodities due to higher inflation.
Farm egg, broiler chicken, and cultured fish are key protein sources for millions of poor in the country, he said.
Prices of all such products have increased forcing a vast population to cut their protein and other nutrition-rich food intake, Nazer said.
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