Essentials see price drops amid improved supply

Prices of many essentials declined this week amid normalisation of supply and the absence of extortion on highways and in market areas, according to traders.
As the situation in the country improves, product prices might decrease further, they said.
Prices for various vegetables showed a notable decline this week. Papaya was sold at Tk 40-50 per kg, pointed gourd at Tk 50-60, eddo, teasel gourd, long-yard bean, and brinjal at Tk 70-90, snake gourd and sponge gourd at Tk 60-70 per kg, cucumber at Tk 70-80 per kg, pumpkin at Tk 40-50 per kg, and green chili at Tk 130-180 per kg.
Tomato and carrot prices remained static at their previous highs -- Tk 200-220 per kg, which traders attributed to import dependence.
Md Ahsan, a vegetable trader at Karwan Bazar, said that conditions have been improving, and supply has notably increased in the last two days.
He added that prices of products have also declined to some extent at the rural level.
He mentioned that there is no extortion on highways for now, as students are helping manage traffic along with Ansar and VDP members.
Each goods-laden truck previously had to pay an additional Tk 3,000 to 4,000 to the extortionists at ten to twelve points while travelling from northern or southern districts to Dhaka, he added.
However, prices of onion, ginger, and garlic have remained almost static at their previous highs. Onion was sold at Tk 110-120 per kg, ginger at Tk 280-320, and garlic at Tk 250-280 per kg.
Egg prices, which had increased to Tk 190-200 per dozen on August 4-5, decreased to Tk 160-170 per dozen.
Habibur Islam, a grocer at Rayerbazar in the city, said wholesalers in the Tejgaon Egg Market had raised prices to Tk 1,500-1,550 per 100 pieces on August 4 and 5. The price then eased to Tk 1,280-1,300 per 100 pieces from Wednesday night.
Broiler chicken was sold at Tk 170-180 per kg, down from Tk 190-210 per kg previously. Sonali or Pakistani chicken prices fell from Tk 320-330 to Tk 280-300 per kg.
Meanwhile, cultured fish prices witnessed a slight decline, but riverine fish prices remained static at their previous highs. Tilapia was being sold at Tk 240-260 per kg, while koi and pangas were priced at Tk 260-300 per kg.
Hilsa remained high at Tk 1,400-2,250 per kg, big river prawns at Tk 1,400-1,450 per kg, and medium shrimp at Tk 750-1,000 per kg on Thursday.
Beef prices showed a slight decline, selling at Tk 740-780 per kg.

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