The supply of summer vegetables has declined in the capital’s kitchen markets, leading to a noticeable hike in prices. Most vegetables are now being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kilogram. Fish prices have also increased, putting buyers in a difficult position. However, prices of broiler chicken, eggs, and various grocery items have remained stable. The price of onions, which rose in recent weeks, is now steady at Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kilogram.

This scenario was observed on Friday (April 25) during visits to several markets across the capital.

Vegetable vendors say the winter vegetable season has ended and the summer season is just beginning. As a result, this transitional period has led to a supply shortage, causing prices to rise by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kilogram for almost all vegetables.

Buyers and sellers alike report that the relief consumers enjoyed over the past three to four months—thanks to the availability of winter vegetables—is no longer there. Most vegetables are now priced above Tk 60 per kilogram, with some even exceeding Tk 100.

Visits to Karwan Bazar, Hatirpul, and Rampura kitchen markets revealed that pointed gourd, okra, ridge gourd, and snake gourd are selling for Tk 60 to Tk 80 per kilogram. Only papaya is available at a lower price, ranging between Tk 40 to Tk 50 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, bitter gourd, eggplant, and yardlong beans are being sold for Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kilogram. Spiny gourd is priced even higher, ranging from Tk 100 to Tk 120. Drumsticks, which usually carry a premium, are now selling for Tk 120 to Tk 140 per kilogram.

As Karwan Bazar is a wholesale market, vegetable prices there are slightly lower compared to other markets.

Abu Kalam, a vegetable vendor at Hatirpul market, said, “Summer vegetables have just started appearing. Prices are always higher during this seasonal transition. They will likely come down in a few days.”

Fish prices have also surged. Sellers report a decline in the supply of farmed fish, which has increased demand for river fish. Additionally, the ban on catching juvenile hilsa (jatka) has disrupted fishing in many rivers.

As a result, prices of hilsa and shrimp have increased the most. A set of four hilsa weighing around 700 grams each is being sold for Tk 5,000. Individual hilsa weighing over one kilogram are being priced at Tk 2,000 to Tk 3,000 each. Smaller hilsa weighing 400–500 grams are being sold at Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,500 apiece.

Meanwhile, farmed shrimp is selling for Tk 750 to Tk 800 per kilogram, while river shrimp is priced between Tk 1,000 and Tk 1,200. Normally, these prices are Tk 50 to Tk 200 lower. Prices of other fish like koi, shing, shol, tengra, and puti have also increased. Farmed varieties such as rui, tilapia, and pangas have seen price hikes of Tk 20 to Tk 50 per kilogram. Currently, farmed rui and katla are selling at Tk 320–360 per kilogram, tilapia at Tk 220–240, and pangas at Tk 200–250.

Fish vendor Bulu Mia said, “There’s a shortage of farmed fish now, so the demand and price of river fish have increased.”

On the other hand, onion prices, which surged after Eid, have remained high. The price increased by Tk 20 per kilogram after Eid and is now holding steady. Good quality onions are being sold at Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kilogram in retail markets, with prices Tk 5 to Tk 10 higher in neighborhood shops.

However, the meat market is currently offering some relief. Prices had surged about a week before Eid, with broiler chicken selling at Tk 210 to Tk 230 per kilogram and local Sonali chicken at Tk 300 to Tk 330. Now, broiler prices have dropped to Tk 170–180, while Sonali chicken is priced at Tk 270–280 per kilogram.

Beef prices have also decreased slightly. Before Eid, beef was selling at Tk 780 to Tk 800 per kilogram. It is now available for Tk 750.

Egg prices, which had been on a downward trend for several weeks, have remained stable. A dozen farm eggs are currently selling for Tk 120 to Tk 130, and prices have been hovering in this range for the past month.