Fresh rise in prices of rice, fish, vegetables

The horrors of the pandemic are growing across the country. People’s income is decreasing. But commodity prices are not falling, but rising. Rice prices have risen again this week. Especially the price of coarse rice has increased from 4 to 5 taka per kg. In addition, the prices of vegetables and fish have increased newly. However, the price of broiler chicken has come down.

The information was revealed while talking to buyers and sellers in different kitchen markets of the capital on Friday. Traders say the prices of various vegetables have gone up by Tk 10 to Tk 30 per kg this week. The price of fish has increased up to 40 taka per kg and the price of broiler chicken has decreased by 10 taka per kg. Rice traders say the market price of rice has gone up by Tk 4-5 per kg. BR-28 rice is being sold for 50-52 taka. Last week, the price of this rice was 46 to 48 taka. Miniket is now selling at Tk 60-62 in the market, last week the price of this rice was Tk 58 to Tk 60 per kg. Now paijam rice is being sold at Tk 50 per kg. Last week, the price of this rice was 48 taka per kg. Nazirshail rice is being sold at Tk 70 in the market and last week it was being sold at Tk 67 per kg. Solaiman Rahman, a rice seller in Gopibagh area, said the supply of rice in the market is not increasing as before. Especially, because of floods, rainfall and lockdowns happening in the country. He said the possibility of reducing the price of rice is very low. Rice prices may rise further in the future.

Meanwhile, TCB estimates that the price of coarse rice has risen by 4.35pc per kg in the last one week. A visit to the vegetable market, it was known that the prices of all types of vegetables have gone up during the week. The price of carrots has increased the most. A week ago, carrots were being sold at Tk 80, now it is being sold at 130 taka. Similarly, 80 taka per kg of ripe tomatoes are being sold at 100 to 120 taka per kg. Hannan Mia, a vegetable trader at Manik Nagar Bazar in the capital, said the price of brinjal has gone up by Tk 10 per kg, which was being sold at 50 taka per kg is now being sold at 70 to taka. It can be seen in the market that bitter gourd is being sold at 60 to 70 taka per kg, which was earlier between 40 taka to 50 taka. Fish traders said that prices are higher than last week. Telapia fish is being sold at 150 to 160 taka per kg, which was 120 to 130 taka earlier. Rui fish is being sold at Tk 230 to Tk 280 per kg, which was being sold at Tk 200 to Tk 250 a week ago. Mrigel fish is being sold at Tk 200 to Tk 220 per kg, which was earlier between Tk 160 and Tk 180.

Visiting the market, it can be seen that the prices of most of the products in the market have gone up but the prices of broiler chickens have come down. Broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 130 per kg in the capital's markets, last week it was being sold at Tk 150 per kg. Dozens of farm eggs are being sold for 105 to 110 taka. However, a kg of beef is being sold at 580 to 600 taka as before and a kg of goat meat is being sold for 800 to 900 taka. Meanwhile, dried chillies are being sold at Tk 150-250 per kg, garlic at Tk 80-130 per kg and turmeric at Tk 160 to Tk 220 per kg. Sugar is being sold at 75 taka per kg. Besides, packets of sugar are being sold at Tk 78 to 80 per kg.