Prices of fishes, eggs, veggies soar

Prices of fish, eggs, and vegetables increased again last week, while the shortage of soybean oil continues in city markets.

A visit to retail and wholesale markets in Dhaka on Friday showed that fish prices went up mainly due to fishing restrictions in several sanctuaries under the government's juvenile hilsa (jatka) protection programme.

The government declared April 7 to 13 as "Jatka Conservation Week," when fishing is banned in 20 coastal districts, according to the Department of Fisheries.

Because of this restriction, prices of indigenous fish like hilsa, ruhi, katla, boal, aair, shrimp, and other local fish increased.

Meanwhile, cultured ruhi, katla, tilapia, pangas, koi, magur, and shing also saw notable price hikes during the week.

Hilsa prices rose further ahead of the Bengali New Year Celebration--Pahela Baishakh, celebrated on April 14, when demand usually increases.

Many markets were facing a shortage of hilsa during the conservation week.

A medium-sized hilsa is now selling for Tk 1,600-2,200 per kg, while larger ones (950 grams or more) cost Tk 2,450-3,650 per kg, up by Tk 250-400 per kg in just one week.

Hafeez Alam, a vendor at Mohammadpur Krishi Market, said they are selling stored fish due to low supply caused by the fishing ban.

He said that some traders were avoiding risk due to restrictions on selling during the conservation drive.

On the other hand, local ruhi was selling at Tk 700-1,050 per kg, shrimp at Tk 900-1,450, and boal at Tk 750-1,050, showing a Tk 100-150 increase.

Farmed fish prices also rose by Tk 30-40 per kg over the past week.

Egg prices also marked a rise. Farm eggs were selling at Tk 115-125 per dozen, up from Tk 110-115 a week ago.

Sonali/Pakistani chicken prices remained high at Tk 420-440 per kg, while broiler chicken stayed stable at Tk 180-200 per kg.

Vegetable prices also increased. Pointed gourd and okra cost Tk 70-80 per kg; beans and drumstick Tk 80-100; ridge gourd, snake gourd, yardlong beans, and bitter gourd Tk 100-120; and teasel gourd Tk 140-180 a kg.

However, prices of green chili and onion remained stable at Tk 80-100 per kg, and Tk 30-40 per kg respectively.

Potato prices increased slightly to Tk 25-30 per kg from Tk 20-25. Papaya and carrot prices remained unchanged at Tk 50-60 per kg.

Meanwhile, the supply of soybean oil, the main edible oil in the country, remained low across the week.

Five-litre bottles were available in some shops but in limited quantities, while 1-litre and 2-litre bottles were mostly unavailable.

Loose soybean oil is being sold at Tk 200-210 per litre, which is Tk 15-25 higher than the government price. Palm oil is selling at Tk 180-190 per litre, Tk 16-26 higher.

The government had set the price of bottled soybean oil at Tk 195 per litre, loose soybean oil at Tk 185, and palm oil at Tk 164.

Juel Rana, a grocer at West Dhanmondi, said dealers reduced supply over the past month, and in recent days some have even stopped receiving orders.

Shahabuddin Ali, a distributor at Buddhijibir Dhal area in Rayer Bazar, said companies are not supplying oil regularly as they are waiting for a price increase proposal to be approved by the government.

Refiners have recently proposed a price hike of Tk 9.0-12 per litre for bottled oil, but the government has not yet responded.

Instead, on April 7, the commerce ministry ordered strict action against traders who sell edible oil above the fixed price.

Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on Friday seized 0.165 million litres of soybean oil across the country from unscrupulous traders.

The RAB alleged that the traders were stockpiling oil to create an artificial crisis.

However, prices of rice, beef, mutton, pulses, and other essentials remained unchanged at their previous high levels on Friday.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com