The prices of chicken witnessed a hike on Friday again in the capital’s kitchen markets, with both broiler and Sonali varieties becoming costlier by about Tk 30 a kilogram, pushing broiler prices back to around Tk 200 a kilogram.

According to traders across Dhaka, broiler chicken prices surged by Tk 40-50 a kilogram to Tk 200-220 at the beginning of Ramadan, about two weeks ago.

The price declined a few days later, falling to Tk 160-170 a kilogram last week. However, prices started rising again in the middle of the fasting month.

On Friday, broiler chicken was selling at Tk 190-200 a kilogram on city markets.

Prices of Sonali chicken have also increased. Depending on quality, Sonali chicken was sold at Tk 300-330 a kilogram on Friday, up from Tk 270-300 a week earlier.

Traders attributed the price hike to a decline in supply alongside increased demand during Ramadan.

Md Nadim, a chicken trader at Kallyanpur Natun Bazar, said that broiler chicken had been selling at Tk 170-180 a kilogram last week, but wholesale prices increased sharply within a few days.

‘We are now forced to buy at higher prices from the wholesale market, so retail prices have also gone up,’ he said.

He also said that many poultry farmers sold their chickens earlier, anticipating Ramadan demand, which had created a temporary supply shortage on the market.

At the same time, demand has increased significantly as consumers purchase more chicken during Ramadan, leaving available stock quickly sold out.

Traders also said that a considerable number of chickens died on farms during the winter, contributing to the current supply shortage.

The sudden price hike has led to consumer dissatisfaction.

Shariful Islam, a customer buying chicken, said that he did not expect prices to rise so sharply within a week.

‘Just a week ago, I bought chicken at Tk 180 a kilogram. Now I have to pay more than Tk 200 for the same item, the increase significantly raised household expenses,’ he added.

This is becoming a major burden for ordinary people, he added, saying that the government must take steps to stabilise the market.

In contrast to the chicken market, egg prices have declined further.

Farm eggs were selling at Tk 85-90 per dozen for white eggs and Tk 100-105 for brown eggs this week, down from the previous week.

Prices of several vegetables that rose at the beginning of Ramadan declined on Friday.

Limes were selling at Tk 40-80 a hali (four pieces) on the capital’s markets, compared with over Tk 100 a hali at the start of Ramadan.

Prices of cucumber, aubergine and green chilli have also dropped. Cucumber was selling at Tk 60-80 a kilogram, aubergine at Tk 60-80 a kilogram and green chilli at Tk 120-140 a kilogram, at least Tk 20 lower per kilogram than prices at the start of the fasting month.

Onion prices also declined after an earlier increase. While prices of onions had risen to Tk 55-60 at the beginning of Ramadan, they were selling at Tk 40-45 a kilogram on Friday.

Prices of most other vegetables remained largely stable, although overall supply has declined with the end of the winter season.

Among major Ramadan essentials, chickpeas were selling at Tk 85-110 a kilogram, depending on quality, gram at Tk 70 a kilogram and besan at Tk 100-110 a kilogram, the same as last week.

Among pulses, fine red lentils were priced at Tk 160-170 a kilogram, medium variants at Tk 150 and coarse varieties at Tk 105, while moong dal was selling at Tk 120-180 a kilogram, depending on quality. Puffed rice was being sold at Tk 60-90 a kilogram.

The price of unpackaged sugar remained at Tk 100-105 a kilogram, a level that has persisted for months.

Among other vegetables and spices, potatoes were selling at Tk 20 a kilogram, local garlic at Tk 120 a kilogram and imported garlic at Tk 220 a kilogram.

Local ginger was priced at Tk 140 a kilogram, while imported ginger was priced at Tk 150 a kilogram. Both prices declined. 

Beef was selling at Tk 750-800 a kilogram, while mutton was priced at Tk 1,100-1,200 a kilogram.

Among fish, medium-sized Ruhi was selling at Tk 350-450 a kilogram, Katla at Tk 380-450, Pangas at Tk 180–220, and Tilapia at Tk 200–220. Hilsa ranged from Tk 1,200 to Tk 2,500 a kilogram, depending on size.