Veg prices decline, rice, fish static

The prices of vegetables have declined somewhat, but rice, fish, onion and potato have remained static maintaining their previous highs.
On the other hand, the value of farm eggs has showed a slight decline but that of broiler remained static.
Last week, violence erupted in various parts of the country, including Dhaka, centring the job quota-reform movement, forcing the government to impose a curfew.
So, disruptions to supply chains from various districts caused a spike in the prices of daily necessities, especially perishables, in Dhaka's retail markets.
Traders say the situation is becoming normal with an increased supply of goods to Dhaka for a limited curfew, leading to a decrease in prices.
A spot visit to few kitchen markets revealed that the vegetables selling at reduced rates Tk 60-70 a kg included pointed gourd, snake gourd and papaya.
Pumpkin is priced at Tk 35-40 a kg, cucumber and eddo at Tk 70-80.
However, some vegetables continue to command high prices as tomatoes are still retailing between Tk 200 and Tk 220 a kg and carrot at Tk 200-240.
Bottle gourd is available at Tk 60-90 apiece depending on size and bitter gourd at Tk 80-90.
Round eggplants have fallen in price to Tk 80-90 a kg from Tk 120-140 and green chilli to Tk 200-220 from Tk 500-600.
Md Adil, a vendor at Rayerbazar, attributed decreased rates to an increased supply of vegetables, adding that tomato and carrot remained expensive for a halt in imports last week.
On the other hand, potato is selling at Tk 65-70 a kg, onion at Tk 120-130, garlic at Tk 220-260 and ginger at Tk 280-320.
Broiler chicken is now selling at Tk 180-190 a kg and Sonali chicken at Tk 280-320.
Beef remains static at Tk 750-780 a kg, while mutton retails at Tk 1150.
Farm egg now sells a Tk 155-165 a dozen, marking a decline to some extent.
Fish prices vary as well, with medium-sized hilsa sells at Tk 1,600 a kg, bigger one at Tk 2,200-2,450, cultured ruhi at Tk 400-550 and pangas at Tk 220-260.
On the other hand, tilapia sold at Tk 260-280 a kg, koi at Tk 240-280, shrimp at Tk 750-1,350 and shoal at Tk 750 on Saturday.
However, the price of rice, which rose 10 days ago, remained static at previous highs as coarse one sold at Tk 52-55, medium at Tk 62-66 and finer at Tk 75-90 a kg.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh vice-president SM Nazer Hossain says vegetable prices have decreased but other remain persistently high, reflecting the current challenges for consumers.
Rice, egg and onion prices increased at the beginning of the turmoil, which is yet to be normalised.
Maintaining sound supply as well as regular market monitoring by agencies concerned are two inevitable tasks to keep prices within the reach of commoners, added Mr Hossain.
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