Essentials\\\' prices still high in city\\\'s kitchen markets

FE Report
Prices of essentials in the capital's kitchen markets continued to remain at an exorbitant level last week ending Friday, hitting hard the consumers, especially those of the limited-income group.
It happened so, as the ongoing flood coupled with incessant downpour took its toll on supply chain of most of the agri produces, traders said.    
"We are yet see any sign of fall in essentials' prices as the ongoing flood that has hit vegetables farming in more than 24 districts," said Md Emran Master, president of Bangladesh Kachamal Arot Malik Samity, a Karwan Bazar-based wholesalers association.      
Talking to the FE he said supply of vegetables and chilli from Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka and Chittagong divisions has declined significantly either due to heavy rainfall or floods.
Vegetable and chilli prices have been soaring for the last few days by Tk 10-20 per kg. The same have gone up in last seven days.  
Brinjal of different varieties were sold at Tk 50-70 per kg on Sunday, but jumped to Tk 70-100 per kg on Wednesday and Thursday, and again slightly dropped to Tk 60-90 per kg on Friday.
The price trend of long bean, pointed gourd, ridge gourd, snake gourd, tomato, local bean, and other vegetables was almost the same.
Chilli prices further increased, and were sold at Tk 220-300 per kg at different retail markets last week, and Tk 160-200 per kg at Karwan Bazar, Shyambazar and Rayer Bazar wholesale markets.
Its prices reached Tk 300 per kg on Thursday, and started to fall from Friday at retail level.
Md Bajlur Rahman, a betel leaf and cigarette store owner at Nowabganj Bazar area, told the FE: "Prices of vegetables are now Tk 70-100 per kg, chilli Tk 260 per kg, beef Tk 400 per kg, egg Tk 10 per piece. Families like ours cannot survive in such circumstances."
"Everyday is now a nightmare for me in the city market with a monthly earning of Tk 12,000-13,000," said Mr Rahman, who has a four-member family, living in the capital.      
However, prices of onion, poultry meat and Hilsa fish declined slightly.
Local variety of onion was sold at Tk 70-75 per kg on Friday, which was Tk 75-80 seven days back. Imported Burmese and Indian varieties were sold at Tk 62-70 per kg, declining Tk 5-6 in a week.
Broiler and layer poultry prices reduced by Tk 5-6 per kg, and were sold at Tk 130-135 and Tk 140-145 per kg respectively on Friday.
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