The prices of Miniket rice and local variant of Nazirshail rice have remained high for the past few weeks on the capital’s kitchen markets, ranging between Tk 70-75 a kilogram for newly arrived variants and Tk 75-85 a kilogram for older variants.
About a month ago, prices of the older variants of Miniket and Nazirshail rice rose by Tk 2-4 a kilogram.
However, the prices of imported Najirshail declined by Tk 5 to Tk 75-80 a kilogram, down from Tk 80-85 a kilogram a week ago.
Meanwhile, prices of unpackaged aromatic rice have risen by Tk 10-20 over the past few weeks to Tk 150-165 a kilogram, up from Tk 140-150 a few weeks ago.
The prices of major winter vegetables remained stable on Friday on kitchen markets, along with those of chicken and eggs.
For the last week, chickpeas were selling at Tk 105-110 a kilogram, up from Tk 95-100 two weeks ago.
For the past several weeks, the prices of moong dal and fine lentils remained high, with lentils selling at Tk 160 a kilogram, while moong dal was priced at Tk 180 a kilogram.
Over the past month, the price of unpackaged sugar increased by Tk 10 a kilogram to Tk 100-105 and remained high on Friday.
Prices of broiler chicken remained stable at about Tk 170-180 a kilogram, though prices of small-sized Sonali chicken rose by Tk 10-15 a kilogram to Tk 290-300 a kilogram, up from Tk 270-280 for the past two weeks.
Egg prices remained stable, selling at Tk 100-110 a dozen. Meanwhile, vegetable prices on wholesale and retail markets remained stable due to abundant supply, easing pressure on consumers, though traders fear that the end of the winter season and the upcoming national election could create a supply crunch.
On Friday, newly arrived onions were sold at Tk 50 a kilogram, while imported onions were sold at Tk 60-70 a kilogram. Newly arrived potatoes were sold at Tk 25-30 a kilogram.
Major winter vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage were sold at Tk 30-40 apiece, beans and radish at Tk 30-40 a kilogram, bottle gourd at Tk 30-50 apiece and pumpkins at Tk 30-40 a kilogram.
Turnip cabbage was sold at Tk 30-40 a kilogram, carrot at Tk 40 a kilogram and aubergine at Tk 60-80 a kilogram.
However, tomatoes and cucumbers remained costly at Tk 60-80 a kilogram.
Idris Ali, a trader at Karwan Bazar, said that consumers might enjoy lower vegetable prices for about two weeks as winter approaches its end.
‘The market might see a decline in supply. Moreover, the national election scheduled for February 12 would further impact the supply,’ he added.
Among other vegetables, green chillies were sold at Tk 80-100 a kilogram, bitter gourd at Tk 100, yardlong beans at Tk 100-120, papaya at Tk 35-40, taro runner at Tk 60, taro stems at Tk 60, and red chillies at Tk 350-500 a kilogram, depending on the variety.
Meanwhile, prices on neighbourhood markets were Tk 10-30 higher per kilogram unit than those on wholesale markets.
On Friday, locally grown garlic was priced at Tk 140 a kilogram, while imported garlic sold at Tk 200 a kilogram. Ginger was priced at Tk 200-220 a kilogram.
Packaged soya bean oil was sold at Tk 195 a litre, while unpackaged soybean oil was sold at Tk 176 a litre and unpackaged palm oil at Tk 166 a litre.
Packaged atta was sold at Tk 62-65 a kilogram, and unpackaged atta at Tk 45-50 a kilogram. Packaged maida was sold at Tk 75 a kilogram, and unpackaged maida at Tk 65.
Beef prices remained at Tk 750-800 a kilogram and mutton at Tk 1,100-1,200 a kilogram on Friday.
On fish markets, prices remained largely stable, with Tilapia selling at Tk 220-250 a kilogram depending on size.
Pabda was priced at Tk 300-350 a kilogram, Ruhi at Tk 300-450, Katla at Tk 350-450, Koi at Tk 250-280 and Shing at Tk 400-500 a kilogram.
Among other varieties, Hilsa was sold at Tk 1,000-3,000 a kilogram depending on size, large shrimp at Tk 800-1,000, Pangas at Tk 170-200 and Shol at about Tk 800 a kilogram.
