Even though winter vegetables are arriving in the capital's markets in large volumes, their prices are still high, with a few witnessing even a hike last week.

Vendors say heavy rains in October disrupted winter vegetable production across the country.

In some areas, vegetable fields were damaged. As a result, prices are high even at the local level, they add.

Although the retail markets are now full of winter vegetables, including bean, brinjal, cauliflower, cabbage, turnip, tomato, carrot, pumpkin, spinach, bottle gourd, and radish, consumers are unhappy with the prices.

A kg of quality brinjal now costs Tk 100-120, while round brinjal is selling at Tk 140-150 per kg, marking an increase of Tk 10-20 per kg in a week.

Medium-sized cauliflower and cabbage are selling for Tk 50-60 each.

Newly arrived country bean costs Tk 100-120 per kg.

New potatoes always start with higher prices, and this year is no different.

They are selling for Tk 140-160 per kg, depending on the market and quality.

Stored potato prices increased by Tk 5.0 a kg in the last two weeks, selling at Tk 30-35 a kg.

Yard-long bean costs Tk 80-90 per kg, while okra and pointed gourd prices have increased by Tk 10-20 per kg, selling at Tk 60-70 per kg.

Pumpkin is selling for Tk 50-55 a kg, maintaining the previous rate.

Leafy greens are also costly. A bunch costs Tk 20-35, marking a Tk 10 per kg hike.

Ali Akbar, a trader in Shyambazar, says sudden heavy rains about a month ago affected vegetable production in many areas.

Farmers had to cultivate again, which delayed supply. Vegetables from across the country have not yet started reaching Dhaka in full volumes, he says.

He expects prices to fall in two weeks.

Onion prices have started to decline slightly, with the local variety selling for Tk 100-110 per kg, marking a fall of Tk 5.0-10 a kg.

The prices of rice, chicken, egg, beef, edible oil, pulses, salt, sugar, and fish remain at the previous high levels.

tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com