The prices of several vegetables increased, while most others’ remained high over the past week ending Friday on the kitchen markets in the capital Dhaka.
Retailers attributed the price hike to a decline in vegetable production following winter and a rise in demand ahead of Ramadan, the fasting month of the Muslims.
On Friday, aubergine was selling for Tk 80-100 a kilogram, bitter gourd for Tk 90-100 a kilogram, beans for Tk 50-60 a kilogram, cucumber for Tk 40-50 a kilogram, and tomatoes for Tk 30-40 a kilogram, cabbage for Tk 30 apiece, cauliflower for Tk 50 per piece and radish for Tk 40 a kilogram.
According to market vendors, prices of some vegetables saw an increase of Tk 10-20 a kilogram over the week.
Lemons, a key ingredient during Ramadan, remained costly, selling for Tk 80-120 a hali (four pieces).
Potatoes were retailing at Tk 20-30 a kilogram on Friday.
Meanwhile, the price of broiler chicken rose slightly, reaching Tk 210-220 a kilogram.
The Sonalika variety of chicken was sold for Tk 310-320 a kilogram.
Prices of eggs remained unchanged, as the items sold for Tk 42-46 a hali over the past week.
Chickpeas, another Ramadan staple, sold at Tk 105-110 a kilogram, similar to the previous week.
The price of onions remained steady, with the local variety selling for Tk 40-45 a kilogram.
Prices of red lentil continued to stay high, with the coarse variety selling for Tk 120-125 a kilogram, the medium variety for Tk 130 a kilogram and the fine variety for Tk 135-140 a kilogram on Friday.
The prices of rice varied from Tk 55 to Tk 100 a kilogram.
The price of fine Miniket rice saw a slight increase, reaching Tk 85-88 a kilogram. Coarse and medium-quality rice was available for Tk 55-65 a kilogram on Friday.
