Winter Vegetable Prices High Despite Availability

Winter vegetables are in full season now. The supply of vegetables in the market is highest during this time. There is also a variety of vegetables. Despite this, the prices of vegetables increased by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg within a week. But the price is supposed to come down now.

According to the concerned persons, two weeks ago the production was disrupted due to rain in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Rangpur regions. As a result, supply has decreased. Transportation costs have increased in some areas due to the strike blockade. Apart from this, many people think that the price of potatoes is high and it has affected the price of other vegetables.

On Friday morning, after visiting Kochukhet, Kawran Bazar, and Raw Bazar of Mirpur and talking to traders, it is known that old potatoes are being sold at Tk 60-70 per kg, whereas even a week ago the price of potatoes of this grade was Tk 50-60. New potatoes have arrived in the market recently. New potatoes are being sold at Tk 70-80 per kg. Last week new potatoes were sold at Tk 60-80.

As the market is full of winter vegetables, prices come down considerably during this time. But many people claim that the price of vegetables is not decreasing due to the increase in the prices of potatoes. The prices of other vegetables also reduced with the decrease in the price of new potatoes. However, due to intermittent rain, the farmers could not harvest the potatoes from the field. They also harvest less vegetables. As a result, the price has increased. Apart from this, many transport drivers have increased the fare by up to 10-20 percent on the pretext of blockade.

Meanwhile, round eggplant is being sold at Tk 70-80 per kg in the market. Last week, the price of brinjal in this category was Tk 60-70. The price of beans has also increased. Beans which were priced at Tk 50-60 last week, now have to be bought at Tk 60-70. The price of gourd has gone up. The price of each gourd is Tk 80-100. Last week it was 70-80 Tk. The price of cauliflower and cabbage has increased from Tk 40-50 to Tk 50-60 each. Green chillies are being sold at Tk 100-120 per kg.

At this time of the season, one kg of tomatoes in the market comes to around 50 taka. Now buyers have to pay around 100 taka there. The price of one kg of local tomato is taka 100-110. Traders say tomatoes were sold at Tk 80 last week. As the supply is low, the price is also on the rise. The price of onion has come down a bit. New local onion has increased by Tk 10 per kg compared to last week, selling at Tk 110-120. Indian onion is being sold at Tk 130-140.

The vegetable sellers said that the supply of vegetables in the market was quite good. It also reduced the price a lot. But the wholesale prices of vegetables are falling due to a sudden reduction in supply. Naturally, this has had an impact on the retail market. 

Fish and meat remain unchanged

There is no big change in the price of fish and meat in the market. Chicken and egg prices have increased slightly. Now broiler chicken is being sold at 180 to 200 taka per kg. A kg of golden chicken is 300 to 320 taka. The price of white and brown eggs of farm chickens is 125 to 130 taka per dozen. A kg of beef is 600 to 650 taka. 300 to 400 taka depending on the size of cultivated Rui. And the prices of tilapia and pangas is falling between 200 and 220 taka per kg. Prices of essential commodities like rice, pulses, flour, flour, edible oil have remained stable at high prices.