Early Winter Vegetables Reach Dhaka Markets but Prices Stay High; Fish, Eggs, Ginger and Garlic Costlier

Early winter vegetables have started arriving in Dhaka's markets. From neighbourhood kitchen markets to roadside vans, cauliflower, cabbage, beans and many other vegetables are now available. But although supply has begun to increase, the prices of most vegetables remain beyond the reach of ordinary buyers. On top of that, high fish and egg prices and a rise in ginger and garlic prices are pushing up household expenses further. The picture emerged on Friday (23 October) during visits to markets in Rampura, Malibagh, Karwan Bazar and the Mohammadpur Krishi Market in the capital.

Eggplant is selling at Tk 80 to 110 per kg. Bitter gourd, teasel gourd, yardlong beans and cucumber are priced at Tk 80 to 100 per kg. Tomatoes are selling at Tk 100 to 120 and beans at Tk 120 to 150. Pointed gourd and okra cost Tk 60 to 80 per kg, snake gourd Tk 60 to 70, ridge gourd Tk 70 to 80 and radish Tk 50 to 60.

Sweet pumpkin costs Tk 40 to 50 per kg, taro Tk 50 to 60, and green chillies Tk 100 to 160 depending on quality and market. Each bottle gourd is priced at Tk 60 to 70.

Early varieties of cauliflower and cabbage have also started reaching the markets. These smaller vegetables are selling at Tk 30 to 50 each. Potato prices are stable at Tk 25 to 30 per kg, while green papaya is available comparatively cheaply at Tk 30 per kg.

Md. Shahjahan, a vegetable seller at Karwan Bazar, said early varieties of vegetables are coming in from the south-western region. Prices of such vegetables are somewhat higher at the start of the season, and farmers also get relatively good prices at this time. He expects prices to come down as supplies grow once the winter vegetable season begins in full.

There is no relief in the vegetable market, but chicken prices have eased slightly. Broiler chicken, which sold at Tk 180 to 190 per kg last week, was priced at Tk 180 yesterday. Sonali chicken costs Tk 330 to 340 per kg, down from Tk 340 to 350 the previous week.

Manik, a chicken seller at Karwan Bazar, said chicken prices depend on supply and demand. With many people leaving Dhaka during the long holiday, sales have fallen somewhat this week, and the drop in demand has affected market prices — giving buyers a small measure of relief in the chicken market.

That slight relief, however, is absent from the fish market. Prices of various fish have instead risen by Tk 10 to 20 per kg compared with the previous week.

Rui fish weighing one to one and a half kilograms is selling at Tk 330 to 360 per kg. Pabda costs Tk 350 to 380, small kachki Tk 380 to 400 and tengra Tk 300 to 350. Farmed koi is selling at Tk 250 to 280. Tilapia costs Tk 220 to 240 per kg, farmed pangas Tk 200 to 230 and sarputi Tk 220 to 250. At such prices, families with limited incomes are struggling to manage their food expenses.

There is no comfort for buyers in the egg market either. A hali (four pieces) of farm chicken eggs costs Tk 50 to 55, which puts a dozen eggs at around Tk 150.

Ginger and garlic prices have also risen in the capital's markets. Both local and imported garlic are up by Tk 10 per kg, and imported ginger has risen by the same amount. Buyers must now spend extra on these essential cooking ingredients as well.

Shoppers voiced frustration at the high prices of essentials. Suman Hossain, who came to buy groceries at Karwan Bazar, said supplies of winter vegetables have started to increase and various greens are available, but prices are still comparatively high. With almost everything expensive, managing household expenses has become a struggle, he said, adding that buyers would get some relief if vegetable prices fell.

Overall, the market picture shows that although early winter vegetable supplies are growing, buyers are not yet getting the full benefit. Despite the slight fall in chicken prices, the high prices of fish, eggs and cooking essentials are keeping market costs elevated. Hopes remain that prices may ease as winter vegetable supplies increase further — but for now, ordinary people must keep waiting for relief in the market for daily essentials.