High prices of winter vegetables despite increased supply

Although the winter season has not yet fully arrived, the northern regions of the country are already experiencing cold weather. Other districts are also feeling the chill. While people in the capital haven't been fully affected by the cold yet, many are struggling with the high prices of winter vegetables.

Vegetables are stacked neatly in the markets, and their supply has increased. However, despite this, the prices of most vegetables have not dropped. As a result, many people cannot afford to buy these vegetables despite their availability. Traders explain that the higher production costs have led to the price hike, but they expect the prices to decrease soon.

On Friday, November 29, during the weekly holiday, similar scenes were observed in the markets of Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Khilgaon, Shahjahanpur, Kamalapur, Rampura, and Karwan Bazar in the capital.

Winter vegetables such as cauliflower and cabbage are available, but their prices remain comparatively high. Small-sized cabbage costs 35-40 taka each, while small pumpkins are priced between 40-50 taka. Medium-sized pumpkins are being sold for 50-60 taka each.

Other vegetable prices include beans at 80 taka per kg, eggplants ranging from 50-70 taka depending on quality, bitter gourd at 80 taka, papayas at 35 taka, green chilies at 80 taka, tomatoes at 140 taka, bitter melon at 80 taka, native carrots at 120 taka, Chinese carrots at 150 taka, pointed gourds at 35 taka, and other vegetables like cucumber, bottle gourd, and okra are being sold for 40-50 taka each.

Lemons are priced at 10-20 taka per piece, coriander leaves at 40 taka per kg, bananas at 30 taka per bunch, and sweet pumpkins at 40-50 taka per kg. Additionally, leafy greens like red spinach are priced at 20 taka per bunch, lau spinach at 40 taka, radish leaves at 20 taka, spinach at 20-30 taka, kalmi spinach at 15 taka, and poi spinach at 50 taka per bunch.

In the egg market, white farm eggs are sold for 140 taka per dozen, while red farm eggs are priced at 145 taka per dozen. Duck eggs are 220 taka per dozen, and local chicken eggs are priced at 240 taka per dozen.

The price of chicken varies, with broiler chicken selling for 180 taka per kg, sonali chicken at 300 taka, and local chicken at 520-530 taka per kg.

In the beef market, the price is between 650-700 taka per kg, with head meat priced at 450 taka. Goat meat is sold for 1,000-1,200 taka per kg.

The price of domestic onions is 120 taka per kg, potatoes are 70 taka, new potatoes range from 100-110 taka per kg, Indian onions are 100 taka per kg, garlic is 220 taka per kg, and ginger is 220 taka per kg. Also, five kilograms of soybean oil are being sold for 818 taka, and domestic lentils are priced at 130 taka per kg.

In the fish market, prices for farmed fish like shing range from 350-500 taka per kg depending on size, while Rui fish (according to size) is priced between 280 and 400 taka per kg. Other fish like magur, mrigel, pangash, shrimp, boal, katla, and others are priced between 220 to 1,400 taka per kg.

A fish vendor, Nurul Haque, mentioned that fish prices fluctuate weekly, sometimes decreasing by 20 taka, only to rise again by 30 taka in the following week. He added that while the market for raw materials is unpredictable, middle-class people find it easier to buy fish like tilapia, silver, and pangash when priced below 200 taka.

Spice prices are also high, with Indian cumin costing 780 taka per kg, Shahjeera at 1660 taka, sweet cumin at 240 taka, and other spices like cinnamon, clove, and cardamom reaching high prices of up to 3,800 taka per kg. Prices for dry fruits like cashews, almonds, and pistachios are also soaring, with pistachios priced at 2,750 taka per kg.

In the rice market, new varieties of Pajam and Atash rice have started arriving, but their availability is limited, so there hasn't been a significant change in the price. The price of rice remains the same as before.