FE REPORT
Kitchen markets across the capital witnessed another round of price increases this week, with fish and vegetables becoming noticeably costlier.
A visit to city markets on Thursday revealed a 10-20 per cent surge in fish prices. Hilsa, which had shown a slight dip in recent weeks, rose sharply again, pushing up the rates of other riverine fish.
Hilsa prices have risen sharply, with medium-sized fish (700-900 grams) selling at Tk 1,450-2,200 per kg, larger ones fetching Tk 2,200-3,200 per kg, and small hilsa (below 700 grams) available at Tk 1,000-1,200 per kg.
Other riverine fish including rui, katla, shrimp, shoul, and kachki also became more expensive. Local rui was sold at Tk 650-1,200 per kg, while shrimp varieties retailed at Tk 900-1,550 per kg. Cultured fish recorded a 5-10 per cent increase, with cultured rui and katla priced at Tk 350-500 per kg.
Mahibur Rahman, a fish vendor at Rayerbazar, said hilsa prices surged after the government announced export plans.
He added that river catches have yet to pick up, contributing to the rising rates. Wholesale tiger shrimp prices climbed to Tk 750-800 per kg at Jatrabari and Karwan Bazar, with Mawa markets also reporting price hikes.
Meanwhile, vegetable prices increased by Tk 5-10 per kg over the week. Snake gourd, pointed gourd, sponge gourd, and eddoe were selling at Tk 80-100 per kg, while bitter gourd ranged from Tk 100-110 per kg and colocasia stem from Tk 90-100 per kg.
Brinjal was priced between Tk 80-120 per kg, and tomato and carrot ranged from Tk 160-180 per kg. Leafy greens also saw an increase of Tk 5-10 per bunch.
Shoppers complained about arbitrary pricing. Wazedur Rahman from Mohammadpur said, "Kachki fish now sells at Tk 800-1,000 per kg instead of Tk 400-500. Shrimp is above Tk 900, and hilsa is almost impossible to buy."
Vegetable vendor Md Asadullah at Bashbari attributed the rise to a shortage of summer crops, as farmers shifted to early winter crops, and supply disruptions from rains in some districts.
On the other hand, onion prices fall slightly by Tk 5-10 per kg due to continuous imports, with local onions at Tk 80-85 per kg and imported ones at Tk 75-80. Prices of rice, chicken, eggs, beef, and other essentials remain stable, though still high.
tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com
