Prices of Essentials Remain High in Capital’s Markets

Prices for key essentials, including onions, eggs, broiler chickens, and vegetables, remained elevated on Friday across Dhaka’s markets.

A survey of several retail and wholesale markets, including Kallyanpur Natun Bazar, Agargaon Taltola Bazar, and Karwan Bazar, revealed that onions were selling for Tk 80–85 per kilogram. Broiler chicken retailed at Tk 170–180 per kilogram, while eggs were priced at Tk 140–145 per dozen. Most vegetables were selling for Tk 80–100 or higher.

Wholesale onion prices have begun to ease slightly, dropping by Tk 7–10 per kilogram in several markets following the government’s announcement of planned onion imports.

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin earlier stated that the government intends to import onions from countries where prices are lower to increase supply and stabilize the market. While the exact quantity and import date remain unconfirmed, traders estimate around 25 trucks, or approximately 300 metric tonnes, may arrive.

Khalilur Rahman, a wholesale trader in Karwan Bazar, told New Age that although wholesale prices fell slightly, the limited import volume would not fully meet demand. “Even after imports, wholesale prices are likely to hover around Tk 65–70 per kilogram, and retail prices at Tk 75–80,” he said.

Supply shortages, halted imports, post-harvest losses of 20–30% of onions, and excessive rainfall in recent months have kept prices high even in production regions like Pabna, Faridpur, Rajbari, and Khulna. Rahman added that prices are unlikely to decline significantly before the next harvest season.

Eggs now cost Tk 134–145 per dozen, up from Tk 125–130 per dozen just two weeks ago. Broiler chicken prices have remained elevated for weeks, with retail rates at Tk 170–180 per kilogram and wholesale prices at Tk 160–170 per kilogram. Traders attribute the price hikes to supply disruptions caused by heavy rainfall across the country.

Vegetable prices ranged from Tk 70 to Tk 120 per kilogram on Friday. Green chillies were sold at Tk 220–250 per kilogram retail, and Tk 180–200 wholesale. Spiny gourd held steady at Tk 80, while snake gourd and pointed gourd sold for Tk 70–80. Okra was priced at Tk 70, yard-long beans and bitter gourd at Tk 70–80, and brinjal at Tk 100–120 in Karwan Bazar. Red chillies ranged from Tk 450–500 per kilogram, cucumbers sold for Tk 80–100, and potatoes were priced at Tk 25–30. Prices in neighborhood markets were generally Tk 20–30 higher.

Sharmin Akter Runa, a housewife from Paikpara, expressed frustration at the sudden rise in vegetable prices, noting that even an extra Tk 200 in expenses strains household budgets. With fish and meat already expensive, she added, vegetables have also become costly, limiting options for affordable meals.

Md Imran Master, president of Bangladesh Kachamal Arat Samity, explained that the country is currently in a lean agricultural season. “Weather conditions during this period leave farmland waterlogged, restricting vegetable cultivation and reducing supply, which drives up market prices,” he said.

Other essential items were also costly: Miniket rice ranged from Tk 75 to Tk 86 per kilogram, beef was Tk 750–780 per kilogram, and mutton sold for Tk 1,100–1,250 per kilogram. Packaged soya bean oil cost Tk 189 per litre (Tk 922 for a five-litre bottle), while unpackaged soya bean oil and palm oil sold for Tk 169 per litre.