Winter vegetables bring relief in Dhaka markets as coriander, chilli and tomato prices fall by more than half in a week, while rice rises Tk 2-3 a kg

Vegetable prices have begun to fall in the capital's markets as winter vegetables start to arrive. In the space of a week, the prices of tomatoes, green chillies, coriander leaves and beans have fallen by between about a third and more than half.

That picture emerged on Friday (30 October) from visits to several markets in and around Lalbagh, Azimpur and Nawabganj in the capital.

Coriander leaves have seen the biggest fall. A kilogramme that sold for Tk 140 last week is now available for Tk 50 to 60.

Green chillies have dropped from Tk 120 a kilogramme to Tk 60 to 70. Tomatoes have fallen from Tk 140 to Tk 90 to 100, and beans have come down from Tk 120 to Tk 70 to 80.

Early winter vegetables have also begun reaching the market. Small cauliflowers and cabbages are selling for Tk 35 to 40 each.

Among other vegetables, cucumber and yard-long beans are selling at Tk 50 to 60 a kilogramme, bitter gourd, okra, snake gourd and ridge gourd at Tk 40 to 50, taro at Tk 40 to 45, papaya and pointed gourd at Tk 20 to 25, and potatoes at Tk 30 a kilogramme.

Chicken prices have fallen alongside vegetables. Broiler chicken is now selling at Tk 170 to 180 a kilogramme, about Tk 20 less than last week. Sonali chicken has also fallen by Tk 20 a kilogramme, to Tk 330 to 340.

The egg market, however, shows the opposite picture. Sellers say a dozen eggs had fallen to Tk 140 during last week's long holiday period; the price has now risen by Tk 10 to Tk 150, and egg prices are fluctuating every day.

There is no relief in the fish market. Lalbagh fish seller Abdur Rahman said many people shop on Fridays because it is a holiday, which raises demand and the pressure of buyers, so prices stay somewhat higher.

Medium-sized pangas, koi and mrigal are selling at Tk 220 to 300 a kilogramme. Tilapia is Tk 230 to 250, pabda Tk 320 to 350, medium rui Tk 350 to 380, katla Tk 400, shing Tk 350, local sarputi Tk 250 to 260, poa Tk 500 and tengra Tk 600 a kilogramme. Small golda prawns are selling at Tk 800 to 1,000.

Even as vegetable prices fall, however, rice — the staple food of ordinary people — is adding fresh pressure. In a week, fine, medium and coarse rice have all risen by Tk 2 to 3 a kilogramme.

Fine rice varieties such as Nazirshail and Miniket are now selling at Tk 70 to 90 a kilogramme by quality; a week ago they were Tk 68 to 85. Medium Paijam, BRRI-28 and BRRI-29 have risen by Tk 3 to Tk 58 to 65. Coarse China Iri, Guti and Swarna rice, bought most by low-income people, have also risen by Tk 2 to 3 to Tk 50 to 55.

Loose polao rice is selling at Tk 100 to 190 a kilogramme by quality. Packaged Chinigura and Kalijira rice cost Tk 220 to 230 a kilogramme, and because packaged rice is more expensive, many buyers are purchasing loose rice instead.

The supply shortage of bottled soybean oil and sugar has still not eased. Buyers have to visit several shops to find oil. On 2 September the government raised bottled soybean oil by Tk 5 a litre to Tk 204, and that price is printed on the bottles. In retail markets, however, a litre is selling for Tk 210 — Tk 6 above the fixed price.

Traders say refining companies are demanding another price increase, citing higher prices on the international market and higher import costs. In the meantime, they say, the supply of oil to the market has fallen.