From lentils to flour, eggs, chicken, fish, and vegetables, prices of almost all daily essentials remain beyond the reach of ordinary consumers.
Each day at the market presents tough choices, as shoppers feel cornered to leave out one essential for another.
Meanwhile, sellers say business is suffering, despite the high prices.
A preliminary observation on Friday morning of several markets across Dhaka, including Mirpur's Matikata, Kalshi, Rampura, and Badda, shows the rise in prices.
At Matikata market, office worker Fahad Hossain voiced his anger, saying, "I've had to cut out eggs and milk completely. A dozen eggs now costs Tk50, up from Tk40. Even a bundle of Shaak isn't available for less than Tk20. Ordinary people are barely hanging on — just doing the groceries is exhausting."
Fahad's comments echoed the sentiments of many shoppers across professions, all of whom told Stream that keeping up with household expenses now feels next to impossible.
Auto-rickshaw driver Suman Hossain said his daily income falls short of covering even a day's worth of groceries.
"If I buy rice and cooking oil, I can't afford fish or meat. And if I need essentials like onions, garlic, or ginger, then I have to skip the protein altogether," he explained.
"How long can we keep living like this?" he asked, visibly distressed.
Rice prices stable, grocery items see moderate hike
Over the past two weeks, the price of miniket rice has seen a slight decline of about Tk1 to 1.5 per kilogram. Currently, various brands of miniket rice are selling for Tk72–85 per kg, najirshail for Tk75–95, BRRI-28 for around Tk 62, and coarse sharna rice for Tk 58–60 per kg.
However, compared to last week, the prices of packaged and loose flour and atta have increased by Tk5–10. Today, packaged atta (whole wheat flour) is being sold at Tk55–60 per kg, loose atta at Tk45–50, maida (refined flour) at Tk70–75, and loose maida at Tk65–70 per kg.
The price of quality masoor dal (red lentils) has also gone up by Tk5–10, now selling at Tk145–150 per kg.
Additionally, the price of tea has increased by around Tk10 per packet.
Vegetable prices soar, meat and fish remain expensive
Vegetable markets are showing the most consistent price hikes, unnerving the customers as prices show no signs of returning to normal.
Eggplant is selling for Tk100–140 per kg, bitter gourd for Tk90–100, okra for Tk70–80, kochumukhi for Tk50–60, kochuloti for Tk80–100, jhinga and chichinga for Tk90–100, and green chillies are priced at an astonishing Tk220–260 per kg.
Speaking to Stream at the Kalshi market in Mirpur, office worker Zahidul Islam said, "You can't find any vegetables for under Tk80 to 100. We're being forced to buy in half-kilo portions. Prices have been high for months, but there's no sign of market monitoring or regulation."
Habibur Rahman, a vegetable vendor at the same market, said, "Since the season is over, supply has dropped, while demand remains high. Until new crops arrive in the market, prices are to remain elevated."
Another seller, Hasan, noted that vegetable prices have been high for no less than three months.
"Except for potatoes and green papayas, most vegetables are priced above Tk80 per kg. That's why many customers are buying just half a kilo now. Say, for every 20kg we used to sell, we are now selling only 5kg."
No relief in onion prices despite imports
Despite increased imports, onion prices remain high. Retail prices are at Tk70–80 per kg. While Indian onions are being sold wholesale at Tk60–62, retail prices remain unaffected.
Local onions are priced between Tk65–72 per kg.
At Matikata market, vendor Shakil Mia said imported onions and chillies from India are also at a rise, limiting their impact on the local market.
However, garlic prices have slightly declined, currently selling for Tk150–160 per kg, down from Tk155–165 last week.
Fish and meat markets offer no respite
The meat and fish markets remain just as strained. Beef is priced at Tk750–800 per kg, while mutton ranges from Tk1,000 to Tk1,200.
Even during peak hilsa season, selling price ranges from Tk1,500 to Tk2,700 per kg, pushing many buyers toward smaller fish.
The chicken market, however, remains relatively stable. Broiler chicken is priced at Tk170–180 per kg, Sonali chicken atTk 320–330, and eggs are selling for Tk140–145 per dozen.
Vendors noted that although egg prices have dropped by Tk5 per dozen, a set of four eggs (a "hali") is still being sold at Tk50.
At Rampura market, shopper Nurul Islam expressed his dismay, saying, "Even broiler chicken, which was somewhat affordable, is now Tk165 a kilo. Managing household expenses has become a trial."
Another shopper, Habibul Bashar, added, "Beef and mutton are completely out of reach. We're left with no choice but to buy a broiler. Other types of chicken cost Tk300–360 per kg, and even then, it's often less than a full kilo."
Vendors said the rising cost of poultry feed and overall production has pushed up wholesale prices, which in turn are jacking up retail prices.
High fish prices despite steady supply
Fish sellers say supply is stable, but many customers are turning their heads away as prices remain high.
Small-sized ruhi is selling for Tk340 per kg, medium-sized at Tk360, and larger ones at Tk380. Pangas are priced at Tk200 per kg.
The steep price of hilsa, even in peak season, has left consumers disappointed.
"If we can't afford hilsa even now, during its season, it'll remain out of reach for low-income families altogether," said one shopper.
Sellers, however, argue that the hilsa catch in rivers has been below expectations this year, making it difficult to lower the prices.
Comments