Fish and meat prices soar, vegetables add to consumer woes

Bangla Press Desk: Taking advantage of increased demand for special iftar and sehri arrangements during Ramadan, traders in the capital’s markets are selling fish, meat and other essential commodities at increased prices. In particular, the prices of chicken, beef and several varieties of fish have risen by Tk20 to Tk50 per kilogram compared to last week. Vegetable prices have also increased.

Vendors claim that supply has declined somewhat in recent weeks compared to normal levels. In addition, growing demand for various family gatherings during Ramadan has pushed up prices.A visit yesterday to Mirpur-11 and Mirpur-6 markets showed that the price of broiler chicken has increased by Tk40 to Tk50 per kilogram over the past two weeks. Broiler chicken is now selling at Tk200–220 per kg, up from Tk160–170 two weeks ago. Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk320–340 per kg. Lemons are priced at Tk25–30 each, or Tk100–120 per four. The price of green chillies has risen by Tk30–40 per kg and is now selling at Tk180–200.Prices of various vegetables have gone up by Tk10–30 per kg. Both round and long aubergines are selling at Tk80–100 per kg. Papaya is priced at Tk40 per kg and sweet pumpkin at Tk40–50. Hyacinth beans are selling at Tk40 per kg and tomatoes at Tk50–60. Cabbage is priced at Tk30–40 each and cauliflower at Tk50–60. Medium-sized bottle gourds are available at Tk80–100. New onions are being sold at Tk50–60 per kg.Beef is selling at Tk820–850 per kg, while mutton costs Tk1,050–1,100 per kg. Among fish, the prices of farmed tilapia, pangas, pabda, koi, shing, rohu and katla have increased by Tk20–50 per kg. Rohu is selling at Tk300–350 per kg, katla at Tk320–350, pangas at Tk180–200 and tilapia at Tk180–220. Prawns are priced at Tk650–750 per kg. Medium-sized koi fish are selling at Tk200–250, local shing at Tk650–750, shoal at Tk650, surma at Tk350 and pabda at Tk350–400 per kg.

Among rice varieties, branded Miniket such as Manjur and Sagar is selling at Tk85–88 per kg, while Rashid Miniket costs Tk75–80. Non-branded Miniket is priced at Tk70, and the premium Mozammel Miniket at Tk90 per kg. Fine lentils are selling at Tk155 per kg and coarse lentils at Tk100. Large mung beans cost Tk140, small mung beans Tk170, khesari pulses Tk100, split gram Tk115, chickpeas Tk80–90 and black gram Tk180 per kg.Source: daily Sun

BP/SP.