In the kitchen markets of the capital, the prices of onions, garlic, and various vegetables have witnessed a decline over the past week, which sellers attribute to a fall in demand for these vegetables.

However, rice prices have seen a slight increase of Tk3-4 per kg at the retail level during this period.

Meanwhile, beef, dates, sugar, mung dal, lentils, mutton, and fish continue to be sold at previously elevated prices.

According to Aminul Islam, a vegetable trader at Mirpur-6 kitchen market, the decrease in vegetable prices, ranging from Tk10-60 per kg, can be attributed to a decline in demand.

During visits to various kitchen markets at Mirpur-6, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-12, Shewrapara, and Mirpur-13 on Friday, the correspondent observed local onion prices dropping from Tk80 to Tk60 per kg within the week.

Similarly, locally grown garlic prices decreased from Tk140 to Tk120 per kg, whereas imported garlic was being sold at Tk240 per kg.

Dr Jahangir Alam Khan, an agro-economist and researcher, attributed the decline in onion and garlic prices to abundant harvests of these cooking ingredients.

However, the price of coarse rice increased by 2% to Tk50-52 per kg, medium-quality rice by 1.85% to Tk55-56 per kg, and fine-quality rice by Tk2.92% to Tk65-76 per kg within the week. Wholesale rice prices also surged by Tk150 per sack (50kg) in a week, according to rice sellers at Mirpur-13.

Hybrid cucumber was sold at Tk60 per kg while indigenous cucumber was at Tk80 on the day. One week ago, the prices were Tk100-120 and Tk160-200 per kg respectively.

The prices of various vegetables have seen significant declines over the past week: brinjal dropped to Tk40-60 from Tk100-120 per kg, tomatoes decreased to Tk40 from Tk60 per kg, beans reduced to Tk40 from Tk60-80 per kg, okra fell to Tk70 from Tk100 per kg, bitter gourd decreased to Tk70 from Tk100 per kg, pointed gourd declined to Tk80 from Tk90-100 per kg, green chillies dropped to Tk80 from Tk120 per kg, bottle gourd ranged from Tk40-60 compared to Tk50-60 per piece, and cauliflower and cabbage prices fell to Tk30-40 from Tk50-60 per piece.

Potato prices remained unchanged at Tk40 per kg, while different varieties of lemons were sold at Tk30-70 per four pieces. Farm eggs maintained their price at Tk130 per dozen.

The price of the broiler was Tk200 per kg and the Sonali chicken was Tk310 per kg.

However, beef prices continued to rise, reaching Tk780-800 per kg, with mutton being sold at Tk1,100 per kg.