A customer of low-income group buying vegetables from a roadside vendor at Karwan Bazar in the capital on Friday. — FE Photo 
Prices of coarse and medium rice and some vegetables witnessed a slight hike last week while fish and meat witnessed a minimal decline in their prices. This spike in rice price has left low-and lower-middle-class families struggling.
Consumers said the new government is taking steps to lower the prices of major essential commodities. They must give urgent attention to cut rice prices.
Although the prices of chicken have decreased somewhat, consumers argue that rice price should drop first. Coarse rice was sold at Tk 55-56 a kg, medium at Tk 64-66 a kg marking Tk 2.0-3.0 hike in a week.
Supply of coarse rice was limited in the city grcoerie4s forcing poor to buy medium quality BRRI dhan 28, 29 and Swarna-5. Finer rice retailed at previous high of Tk 70-80 a kg in loose form.
The government reduced the import duty on onions and potatoes last Thursday, but consumers are yet to see a significant impact on prices. Potatoes are still being sold at Tk 60-65 a kg and local onions are retailed between Tk 110 and Tk 120 a kg.
Broiler chicken prices have reduced by Tk 10 a kg as is being retailed at Tk 165-175 a kg. Sonali/Pakistani chicken also witnessed Tk 10-20 a kg decline as is being sold at Tk 240-260 a kg.
A dozen eggs remain static at Tk 150-160. However, there has been a slight decrease in beef prices, now selling at Tk 740-780 as kg, down from Tk 750-800 just a week ago.
Vegetable prices have showed a mixed trend as brinjal, eddo and long-yard bean showed a hike. Brinjal retailed at Tk 100-120 a kg, eddo at Tk 80-90 and long-yard bean at Tk 70-80 a kg. The prices of pointed gourd, okra, papaya, tomato and cucumber remained static.
Meanwhile, hilsa supply has increased in the end of the rainy season, but prices haven't fallen as anticipated.
Big hilsa, weighing over one kilogram, is being sold for Tk 1800-2000 a kg.
Hilsa weighing 900 grams is priced at Tk 1400-1500, while smaller hilsa, weighing 650-800 grams, is being sold for Tk 800-1150 a kg.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh vice-president SM Nazer5 Hossain said the interim government should take the rice market trend seriously for now.
He said more than 15 districts witnessed severe-to-medium flooding which brought devastation for the Aman and Aus rice fields.
He said following the possible decline in crop production, the government should immediately take a timely rice import policy.
He also urged the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to deliver boro production as soon as possible to help the government for suitable rice management which is unavoidable for ensuring the food security.
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