Winter vegetable prices see sharp decline

Prices of winter vegetables have fallen in kitchen markets across Dhaka thanks to increased supply following the end of monsoon season.

Prices of different winter vegetables have dropped by Tk50-Tk100 per kilogramme (kg), while chicken prices have declined slightly. The trend was observed during visits to kitchen markets in Mirpur and Shewrapara on Friday.

Beans were sold at Tk100 to Tk120 per kg, down from Tk150-200 the previous week. New potatoes were sold at Tk100 per kg, compared with Tk200 the previous week. Radishes were priced at Tk50 per kg, cauliflower at Tk40-50 a piece, and small cabbages at Tk30-40 per piece.

Prices of all kinds of summer vegetables also fell by Tk10-20 per kg as demand declined during the Puja holidays. Pointed gourds, okra and snake gourds were sold at Tk50-60 per kg. Eggplant prices fell by Tk20-80 to Tk120 per kg, while green chillies dropped by Tk20-100 to Tk120 per kg. Tomato prices declined by Tk50 to Tk150 per kg. Olives were sold at Tk50-60 per kg, while carrots were priced at Tk120-140 per kg.

Riaz Hossain, a vegetable trader at a kitchen market in Mirpur, said supplies of winter vegetables had increased, leading to lower prices. In these markets, papaya was sold at Tk20 per kg, potatoes at Tk30 per kg and onions at Tk50-55 per kg. Taro stolons were sold at Tk80 per kg, while cucumber prices rose slightly to Tk80-100 per kg. Yardlong beans were sold at Tk60-80 per kg and sweet pumpkins at Tk40-50 per kg.

Four-piece bunches of limes were sold for Tk30-40. The same number of green bananas were sold for Tk40, while wax gourds were priced at Tk60-70 apiece and capsicum at Tk350 per kg.

Sonali chickens were sold at Tk310 per kg, down Tk10 from the previous week, while hybrid Sonali chickens were priced at Tk280 per kg. Red layer chickens were sold at Tk360 per kg, broiler chickens at Tk180 per kg and native chickens at Tk670 per kg.

Fish prices varied by species and size. Farmed shing fish was sold at Tk350-600 per kg, depending on size, while native shing fish was priced at Tk1,200-1,400 per kg. The price of rohu fish had risen to Tk400-550 per kg. Native magur fish was sold at Tk900-1,200 per kg, mrigal carp at Tk350-450, farmed pangas fish at Tk180-220, and shrimp at Tk800-1,400.

Beef was sold at Tk800 per kg, while mutton was priced at Tk1,300 per kg. A dozen farm chicken eggs were sold at Tk140-145, while a dozen duck eggs cost Tk200. Four native chicken eggs were priced at Tk100, while four Sonali cock chicken eggs were sold for Tk70.