The upward price pressure has again appeared in the market of daily necessities of the country. Onion prices have increased by Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kg in the last one week. At the same time, prices of eggs, broiler and golden chickens, different types of fish and almost all types of vegetables have also increased significantly. Traders claim that the price hike in the market is due to continuous rains, flood situation and reduced supply. As a result, the common consumers are under the most pressure.
A visit to Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Town Hall Bazar, Agargaon Taltala Bazar and Hatirpool Bazar in the capital on Thursday showed that the prices of most of the daily commodities have increased compared to earlier. Vendors also say that supply in the market has reduced due to less production from production areas, which has affected retail prices.
Onion market is the most discussed. At present, onions are being sold at Tk 45 to Tk 55 per kg in various markets of the capital. In some markets, its price has reached 60 rupees. But just a week ago, the same onion was being sold at Tk 35 to Tk 45 per kg.
According to Ikari traders, at present farmers are busy with cutting, transporting and selling jute, so relatively less onion is coming to the market from the production area. As a result, prices have increased due to reduced supply.
In Santhia Upazila of Pabna, one of the main onion production areas, prices have been increasing for the past two weeks. In various wholesale markets, onion is being sold at the rate of 1,400 to 1,700 taka per maund, which is 35 to 42 taka per kg. Later, in the wholesale market of Dhaka, the price increased to 45 to 47 taka.
The increase in the price of onion brought some relief to the farmers. Raja Hossain, an onion farmer and marketer of Santhia's Boalmari Hut, said that even two weeks ago, each maund of onions was sold at Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200, which could not cover the cost of production. Currently, the supply is low, so the price has gone up. However, he also said that there is still sufficient amount of onions stored in farmers' houses.
Not only onions, the prices of eggs and chickens have also increased in the market. At present, a dozen eggs of the brown colored farm are being sold at Tk 140. Neighborhood shops are charging more than this.
On the other hand, broiler chickens are being sold at Tk 200 and golden chickens at Tk 320 to Tk 350 per kg. Compared to three weeks ago, the price of chicken has increased by Tk 30 to Tk 40 per kg.
There is no relief in the fish market either. In particular, the price of roe fish has increased to about 50 taka per kg in a month. Besides, the prices of tilapia and pangas fish are also being sold at higher prices than before.
The vegetable market is unstable due to continuous rains and floods
The production and supply of vegetables has been disrupted in various parts of the country due to several rounds of continuous rains and floods this month. This has affected the market of the capital.
Currently, no vegetables are available below 80 rupees. Many vegetables cost more than 100 rupees. In the space of a month, the price of vegetables has increased from Tk 20 to Tk 60 per kg.
The price of raw chili has increased the most. At present, raw chillies are being sold at Tk 240 to Tk 280 per kg. But even a month ago its price was 120 to 140 taka. That is, the price of pepper has almost doubled in just one month.
Besides, brinjal is being sold in the market at the rate of 100 to 120 taka per kg. Barbati, Chichinga, Jinge, Dhyanders and gourds are being sold at Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg.
Why is the price rising?
According to market officials, many agricultural products were destroyed due to continuous rains and floods. At the same time, the price of daily necessities in the market is increasing due to insufficient supply from the production area and increase in transportation cost. Traders fear that this pressure may continue in the market in the next few weeks if the situation does not improve.
