Onions, eggs, veggies get costlier, putting strain on commoners

Prices of onions, eggs and most vegetables have risen further, adding to consumers' woes, as the kitchen market remains volatile following continuous rainfall and flooding in parts of the country.
Green chilli has recorded the sharpest increase, with retail prices climbing to Tk 360-400 a kg on Friday, the highest level so far this year.
A visit to Mohammadpur, Adabor and West Dhanmondi markets in the capital on Friday found most retailers selling green chilli at around Tk 400 a kg. It was being sold at Tk 40 per 100 grams and Tk 100 per 250 grams.
Adabor Bazar vendor Anis Ali said the price of green chilli had increased by around Tk 100 a kg within a week.
"Last week it sold at Tk 280-300 a kg, while a week earlier the price was only Tk 150-180," he said.
Onion prices also continued to rise. Locally produced onions, which sold at Tk 40-50 a kg one and a half to two weeks ago, are now retailing at Tk 55-65 a kg. Even a week ago, they were available at Tk 50-60 a kg.
Md Mohosin, a vendor at West Dhanmondi, said wholesale onion prices had increased suddenly, forcing retailers to raise prices.
"The onions we sold at Tk 50 a kg just a week ago now have to be sold at Tk 60. Taherpuri onions from Faridpur and Pabna are selling for as much as Tk 65 a kg," he said.
Vegetable prices remained unusually high since the beginning of the month due to persistent rainfall and flooding in several districts.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), more than 12,000 hectares of vegetable fields have been severely damaged by floods.
Long brinjal was selling at Tk 120-150 a kg, while round black brinjal fetched Tk 180-220 a kg and white round brinjal Tk 150-180 a kg.
Prices varied by Tk 10-20 depending on quality and market.
However, prices of sponge gourd and pointed gourd remained unchanged at Tk 70-80 a kg.
Bitter gourd was selling at Tk 120-140 a kg, eddo at Tk 80-100, yard-long beans at Tk 110-130 and snake gourd at Tk 90-100 a kg.
Gias Uddin, a trader at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, said prices of green chilli, brinjal and several other vegetables had increased further over the past week.
He attributed the price hike to reduced supplies caused by flooding and continuous rainfall. The poultry market also witnessed another increase in farm egg prices.
Farm eggs, which sold at Tk 135-140 per dozen last week, were retailing at Tk 145-150 per dozen on Friday. A month ago, the same eggs were priced at Tk 120-130 per dozen.
Broiler chicken was selling at Tk 190-200 a kg, while Sonali chicken was priced at Tk 350-370 a kg.
Prices of aromatic rice reached an all-time high last week, with local premium varieties selling at Tk 210-230 a kg.
Common rice varieties were unchanged and retailing at Tk 58-65 a kg for coarse and medium grades and Tk 72-98 a kg for finer varieties.
Meanwhile, prices of beef, fish, lentil and several other essential commodities remained largely unchanged at their previous high levels.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com