
The prices of rice and several vegetables went up, while the price of broiler chicken remained high on Dhaka鈥檚 kitchen markets over the week ending Friday.
Retailers blamed market syndicates for keeping commodity prices elevated.
The prices of rice increased by Tk 2 a kilogram on the kitchen markets of the capital.
On Friday, coarse and medium-quality rice varieties sold at Tk 55鈥�65 per kilogram.
Miniket rice varieties were priced at Tk 70鈥�85 per kilogram, while Katari rice sold at Tk 80鈥�85 per kilogram.
Broiler chicken prices remained high, ranging from Tk聽200 to Tk 210 per kilogram.
The Sonalika variety of chicken was priced between Tk 310 and Tk 340 per kilogram.
Traders attributed the high price of broiler chicken to increased demand during recent social events and festivals.
Vegetable prices showed mixed trends, with some items becoming more expensive.
On Friday, aubergine was sold at Tk 60鈥�80 per kilogram, papaya for Tk 40鈥�50 per kilogram, bitter gourd for Tk 70鈥�80 per kilogram, and beans for Tk 45鈥�50 per kilogram.
Cucumber was priced at Tk 40鈥�50 per kilogram, cauliflower at Tk 20鈥�30 per piece, and turnip at Tk 50鈥�60 per kilogram.
Okra and eggplant were both sold at Tk 70鈥�80 and Tk 60鈥�70 per kilogram, respectively.
Meanwhile, the prices of green chilies, potatoes, and onions remained unchanged.
Green chilies sold at Tk 60鈥�70 per kilogram, potatoes at Tk 35鈥�40 per kilogram, and local onions at Tk聽60鈥�70 per kilogram.
Cooking oil prices stayed steady but remained high.
A liter of packaged soybean oil cost Tk 175, while unpackaged oil was sold at Tk 165 per liter. A five-liter bottle of soybean oil was priced at Tk 850鈥�852.
Egg prices also remained unchanged, with a set of four eggs (hali) selling for Tk 45鈥�50.
Rohita fish was priced between Tk 280 and Tk 400 per kilogram.
Red lentil prices stayed elevated, with fine varieties selling for Tk 135鈥�140 per kilogram on Friday.
The steady increase in prices of essential items continues to add to household expenses, leaving consumers and retailers alike struggling with the situation.
A retailer at the Palashi kitchen market expressed frustration over declining sales, saying that consumers were purchasing rice and soybean oil in minimal quantities.
鈥榃e are barely making any profit and often have to sell rice at loss. It鈥檚 the syndicates that are reaping all the benefits. When one syndicate disappears, another takes its place, leaving us as their victims,鈥� he said.