Vegetable Prices Decline, Rice and Oil Remain Costly

Vegetable prices have been steadily declining in recent weeks due to an increased supply, offering much-needed relief to consumers. However, rice and edible oil prices continue to rise, driven by supply shortages.
 

A market survey conducted on Friday (January 31) across various locations in the capital confirmed these trends.

In today's market, vegetables are available at lower prices compared to previous months. Sweet pumpkin is being sold at Tk 35 per kg, turnip at Tk 30, radish at Tk 30, regular beans at Tk 30, beans with seeds at Tk 40, long beans at Tk 40, round eggplant at Tk 50, cucumber at Tk 50, ridge gourd at Tk 40, papaya at Tk 40, and hybrid bitter gourd at Tk 60 per kg.

 

Cauliflower and cabbage are priced between Tk 20-30 per piece, carrots at Tk 40 per kg, sponge gourd at Tk 50 per kg, and bottle gourd at Tk 50-60 per piece.

 

Kamal Mia, a private-sector employee shopping at Karwan Bazar, expressed his relief, saying, "Vegetable prices have become much more affordable, allowing us to buy in larger quantities. A few months ago, prices were so high that I could only purchase half a kilogram or even just 250 grams. The current decline is a big relief for consumers."

 

This downward trend has also impacted potato and onion prices. New potatoes are now being sold at Tk 20-25 per kg, with wholesale prices ranging between Tk 16-20 per kg.

Despite lower vegetable prices, the rice market remains unstable. Miniket rice is being sold at Tk 80 per kg, Atash at Tk 58-60, coarse Swarna at Tk 52-56, and Nazirshail at Tk 76-82 per kg. Premium polao rice is priced at Tk 116-118 per kg.

Soybean oil prices remain high, with an artificial shortage of bottled oil persisting. While five-litre bottles are somewhat available, one- and two-litre bottles remain scarce, and prices in stores often exceed the government's fixed rates.

Loose soybean oil is selling at an even higher price, ranging between Tk 175-180 per kg, despite being more readily available. Retailers blame the supply disruptions on inadequate distribution by oil companies and report that they are being forced to purchase additional products along with oil, further straining the market.

The Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association has recently submitted a request to the Ministry of Commerce for another price increase. This follows an earlier hike of Tk 8 per litre on December 9, raising concerns of further financial strain on consumers.

While lower vegetable prices offer some respite, rising costs of essential commodities like rice and oil continue to burden households. Consumers hope for increased imports and stronger market monitoring to stabilize prices and ease economic pressure.