As Ramadan approaches, market prices in Bangladesh typically come under pressure, with the cost of most essentials rising sharply. This year, however, consumers are seeing some relief in egg prices, even as the meat market remains stable. Buyers nonetheless fear that prices of fish and meat may rise once Ramadan begins.
Such a scenario was observed on Friday after visiting several markets in Old Dhaka.
Market visits showed that farm eggs are currently selling at Tk110 per dozen, down from Tk120 a few days ago. White eggs are priced between Tk120 and Tk125 per dozen, while local duck eggs are selling at Tk190 to Tk200 per dozen. Traders said the winter season has boosted supplies of vegetables and local fish, easing pressure on egg demand and leading to a slight drop in prices. In the wholesale market, the price of each egg has fallen to below Tk8.
The meat market, however, has remained unchanged over the past week. Beef is selling at Tk800 per kg, the same rate as last week. Among grocery items, sugar prices have increased and remain elevated, with shopkeepers reporting a rise of Tk5 to Tk10 per kg.
No changes were seen in the fish market either. Large-sized rohu fish is selling at Tk400 per kg, pangash at Tk180 to Tk200 per kg, and hybrid koi fish at Tk180 to Tk200 per kg. As usual, prices of local fish remain beyond the reach of many consumers. Local shoal fish is being sold at Tk1,200 per kg, while local koi fish is priced at Tk700 to Tk800 per kg. Some fish vendors said prices of farmed fish have dropped by Tk20 to Tk50 per kg.
Except for newly arrived tomatoes, vegetable prices in Old Dhaka markets have largely remained unchanged.
Tomatoes are selling at up to Tk100 per kg. Nazrul, a tomato vendor at Rathkhola Mor, said the higher price is due to the new arrival of tomatoes and added that prices would gradually come down. Other vegetables, including winter varieties, are being sold at previous rates. Due to increased supply, prices of onions and winter vegetables have remained low for several weeks, with many vegetables selling at Tk50 to Tk60 per kg. Depending on market and quality, beans are selling at Tk30 to Tk45 per kg, down from Tk40 to Tk50 about a week ago. Radish is priced at Tk30 to Tk35 per kg, while eggplant prices have declined to Tk40 to Tk60 per kg. As last week, medium-sized cauliflower and cabbage are selling at Tk20 to Tk30 each. Turnip and papaya are available at Tk30 to Tk40 per kg, and broccoli at Tk40 to Tk50 per kg. However, some out-of-season vegetables remain costlier at Tk70 to Tk80 per kg, including pointed gourd, bitter gourd, and okra.
Among grocery items, prices of rice and lentils have increased slightly, particularly lentils as well as miniket and Nazirshail rice, which have seen fluctuations of around Tk5 per kg.
Prices of other essential grocery items remain unchanged. Bottled soybean oil is selling at Tk198 per liter, loose soybean oil at Tk190 per liter, packaged ghee at Tk1,450 to Tk1,550 per kg, loose ghee at Tk1,250 per kg, packaged sugar at Tk110 per kg, loose sugar at Tk95 per kg, a two-kg packet of flour at Tk130, a two-kg packet of atta at Tk120, and loose mustard oil at Tk220 per liter. Cardamom is selling at Tk4,750 per kg, cinnamon at Tk500, cloves at Tk1,280, white pepper at Tk1,350, and black pepper at Tk1,180 per kg. Packaged polao rice is priced at Tk155 per kg, while loose polao rice is selling at Tk90 to Tk130 per kg depending on quality. Small lentils are priced at Tk155 per kg, coarse lentils at Tk90, large mung dal at Tk140, small mung dal at Tk170, khesari dal at Tk100, chickpea dal at Tk115, chickpeas at Tk110, and mashkalai dal at Tk180 per kg.
