Eid, Qadr push meat prices up in Ctg

Bangla Press Desk:   Prices of beef and poultry have surged sharply across markets in Chattogram city ahead of the holy nights of Shab-e-Qadr and the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr, adding extra strain on consumers during Ramadan.

On Sunday morning at Bahaddarhat Market, boneless beef was selling for a staggering Tk1,000 per kg, up sharply from Tk900 at the start of Ramadan, while prices in some upscale kitchen markets have surged to Tk1,050.Poultry, including broilers, layers, and local chickens, has also jumped by more than Tk40 per kilogram.

Market data shows prices have surged by nearly 10%, with retailers attributing the rise to the usual push and pull of supply and demand.

Meanwhile, the country’s largest religious festival, Eid-ul-Fitr, expected on 21 March, is triggering a surge in demand for meat and other food items.

“I bought boneless beef for Tk900 at the start of the month. Today, I’m shocked to see it reach four digits,” said Mujahidul Islam, a private bank official.

Several other buyers, including Mujahidul Islam, also expressed frustration over the rising prices.

Market sources said beef prices began climbing after the 20th day of Ramadan.

A visit to four major city markets revealed that bone-in beef is now selling for Tk780 to Tk850 per kilogram, while boneless beef ranges from Tk1,000 to Tk1,050.

In both cases, prices have surged by roughly 10% over the past week.

However, in several neighbourhoods where cattle are slaughtered locally during Ramadan, beef is still available for Tk700-850 per kilogram.

In these areas, buyers typically have limited access to boneless meat.

Some sellers across various neighbourhoods are offering meat at Tk50–100 below the prevailing market rate, but traders say rising production costs at cattle farms are pushing prices upward.

According to the Department of Agricultural Marketing and TCB, the average retail price of beef was Tk317 in 2015.

By 2024, it had climbed to Tk850, and in 2026, it officially surpassed the Tk1,000 mark, it said.

Local butchers, including Abdul Kader from Chawkbazar, defend the price hike, citing rising cattle costs.

“At the Sagarika cattle market, the price of a medium-sized cow has jumped by Tk5,000 to Tk10,000. We have no choice but to adjust our retail rates,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the poultry sector is experiencing an even sharper surge.

Just three weeks ago, broiler chicken sold for Tk160 per kg; by Sunday, it had jumped to Tk240, a 50% increase in a month.

Similarly, prices of Sonali and local chicken have risen by Tk80-100 per kilogram, with both varieties climbing more than 10% just in the past week.

Layer chicken is now selling for Tk370-380 per kilogram, up from Tk340 a week ago, while local chicken commands over Tk750 per kilogram.

Vendors at Kazir Dewri Market said a supply crunch, caused by chicken deaths during late winter and soaring Eid demand, has fuelled the sharp spike in prices.

Vendors at Kazir Dewri market noted that a supply crisis caused by chicken mortality during the late winter, coupled with the Eid demand, has triggered this price explosion.

Inflation isn’t limited to meat. Karkrol (Teasle Gourd), a seasonal favourite, has hit the market at a staggering Tk400 per kg.

Apart from eggplant, nearly all vegetables are now priced above Tk80 per kilogram.

Pointed gourd is selling for Tk100-120 per kilogram, ribbed gourd for Tk100-110, sponge gourd for Tk110-130, snake gourd at about Tk100, fresh beans for Tk70-80, and papaya around Tk40 per kilogram.

Large hilsa fish weighing around 1.5 kg are selling for Tk2,200-2,500, while smaller varieties fetch between Tk800 and Tk1,500 per kilogram.

Other fish varieties are priced as follows: poa at Tk400–500, loittya at Tk200–220, faisya at Tk180–200, coral at Tk600–900, rupchanda at Tk350–700, and shrimp ranging from Tk650 to Tk1,200 depending on size.

The price of loose soybean oil has risen by Tk5 per litre, while bottled soybean oil, lentils, rice, salt, sugar, and other essential commodities have largely remained stable.

Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (Chattogram) Deputy Director Mohammad Foyez Ullah said authorities are closely monitoring the markets.

“If we receive reports of abnormal price hikes, we conduct market drives. Traders have been instructed to keep meat, vegetables, and other essentials stable during Ramadan, and action will be taken against any irregularities,” he said.

Source: daily Sun

BP/SP