Vegetable prices high despite ample supply

Prices of most vegetables remained high in the capital’s kitchen markets this week despite an increase in supply, while chicken prices saw a slight decline and onions became costlier.
A visit to several kitchen markets in Mirpur-6, Mirpur-10, Mirpur-13 and Shewrapara showed that most summer vegetables were being sold at their previous high prices.
Bitter gourd was selling at Tk70-Tk80 per kg, okra at Tk50-Tk60, pointed gourd at Tk60-Tk80, taro root at Tk100-Tk120, yardlong beans at Tk60-Tk80 and brinjal at Tk80-Tk140 per kg, depending on quality and variety.
Taro stems were sold at Tk80-Tk100 per kg, snake gourd at Tk80, drumsticks at Tk180-Tk200 and sponge gourd at Tk50-Tk80 per kg. Pumpkin was selling at Tk40 per kg, local cucumber at Tk100-Tk120 and hybrid cucumber at Tk60 per kg.
Lemons were sold at Tk10-Tk30 for four pieces, while coriander leaves were priced at Tk150-Tk200 per kg. Green bananas were selling at Tk40 for four pieces and capsicum at Tk300 per kg.
Meanwhile, prices of broiler and Sonali chickens dropped by around Tk10 per kg over the week. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk170 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk320 and Sonali hybrid at Tk300 per kg.
Red layer chicken was sold at Tk300 per kg, white layer at Tk290 and local chicken at Tk750 per kg.
Beef prices remained unchanged at Tk800 per kg, while mutton was selling at Tk1,200 per kg.
Onion prices, however, increased by Tk10 per kg during the week. Local onions were selling at Tk40-Tk50 per kg, while potato prices remained stable at Tk25 per kg.
Egg prices also rose sharply. A dozen farm red eggs were sold at Tk150-Tk155, compared to Tk140 last week.