Vegetable prices fall in Dhaka as early winter produce reaches markets

Prices for a variety of vegetables have started to decrease in Dhaka's kitchen markets as early winter produce arrives, with traders reporting that supply is now outpacing demand. Shoppers visiting major trading hubs, including Karwan Bazar and Mirbagh, on Friday observed a downward trend in the cost of several essential food items compared to the previous week.

Cauliflower was retailing for Tk 40-50 per piece, marking a notable decline from the Tk 60-70 range seen seven days earlier. New potatoes also saw a significant price reduction, selling at Tk 120 per kg compared to Tk 150 the previous week, while older stocks of potatoes remained available at Tk 20-25 per kg. Additionally, the cost of green chillies dropped by Tk 40, settling at Tk 60-80 per kg, while tomatoes were priced at Tk 120-130 per kg. Other vegetable varieties maintained stable price points.

Vegetable seller Alamgir Hossain noted that the arrival of new winter crops has been the primary driver for the easing of prices. Another trader, Rubel Ahmed, explained that winter vegetables are currently arriving from various regions across the country. Ahmed anticipated that these arrivals would increase further in the coming days, which he expects will lead to additional price reductions for consumers as the seasonal supply chain strengthens.

Poultry prices also experienced a slight decline during the week. Broiler chicken, which had maintained a price of Tk 190-200 per kg for several months, was available at Tk 170-180 per kg on Friday. Layer chickens were selling for Tk 230-240 per kg, and the price of brown farm eggs dropped by Tk 10 to reach Tk 150 per dozen.

While some food categories saw price relief, fish prices remained high and unchanged from the previous week. Rui was selling for Tk 250-350 per kg depending on the size, while tilapia was priced at Tk 200 per kg. Shrimp and pabda were available at Tk 600-800 per kg and Tk 400-500 per kg respectively.

In the grocery sector, Mizanur Rahman Babul, proprietor of Amin General Store at Karwan Bazar, confirmed that the supply of bottled soybean oil has returned to normal levels. A two-litre bottle was sold at Tk 405 on Friday, a price that has remained stable. Other staples also saw minor decreases, with loose aromatic rice selling at Tk 195-200 per kg, down from Tk 210, and lentil prices falling by Tk 1-2 per kg. Loose white flour was priced at Tk 2,900-3,100 per sack, a reduction from the previous week's Tk 3,200.