Commoners suffer as veg prices go sky-high

In the wake of supply crunch and low production amid floods and rains, vegetable prices have gone sky-high across the country.
However, customers allege that vegetable traders are desperate to make more profit due to lack of market monitoring.
In Rajshahi city, green chilli was being sold at Tk 400 a kg, onion at Tk 110, potato at Tk 55, cucumber at Tk 60, bitter gourd at Tk 80, eggplant at Tk 120, gourd at Tk 50 and papaya at Tk 50, FE correspondent found during a visit to markets on Tuesday.
Besides, broiler chicken was being sold at Tk 190, golden chicken at Tk 260 and beef at Tk 750, silver carp fish at Tk 180, pangas at Tk 110, tilapia at Tk 140 and koi fish at Tk 250.
Amjad Hossain, a buyer who came to Sahib Bazar of Rajshahi city, expressed anger, saying: "Vegetable prices are unusual."
Our correspondent from Sylhet reports that common people, especially low-and middle-class people in Sylhet, are suffering much due to the sudden rise in the prices of vegetables.
Traders have alleged that the lower supply against higher demand has made market unstable for weeks.
Some business leaders suggested monitoring markets regularly to check the price spiral of daily essential commodities.
Md Mujibur Rahman, a buyer at Subidbazar, has alleged that traders, especially wholesalers, are taking the advantage and manipulating the markets.
The marketing department should monitor the markets, said Shamsuddin Khan, an employee of a private firm in Ambarkhana area of Sylhet city.
In Sylhet markets, green chilli was sold at Tk 400-500 a kg on Tuesday while okra at Tk 120, lady's finger at Tk 100 and brinjal at Tk 180 and potato at Tk 60 to 65 per kg. Farm egg sells at Tk 180-195 per dozen.
A rickshaw-puller, Mainuddin, has blamed extortion for further rise in the prices of essential commodities.
"We need to increase production of farm products alongside regular market monitoring and regular supply. Otherwise, it is difficult to keep market stable, business leaders say.
Our correspondent from Pabna adds, there is still no sign of breaking the syndicate of the previous government. In the meantime, the issue of the egg-chicken syndicate has come to light. Although it is a priority of the government, the market system has not yet been controlled.
According to the market information, the prices of several products including eggs, chicken, vegetables, green chilli, edible, oil and sugar have increased in the last two months. The most volatile are the prices of eggs and green chilli.
According to data, the prices of some products have increased by 100 to 150 per cent within a month.

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