Chattogram: Prices of vegetables are gradually decreasing as supply has increased in different kitchen markets in the city and various upazilas of the district. Traders are optimistic that vegetable prices will decrease significantly this week, although prices for broiler chicken, beef, and mutton have risen slightly over the past week.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the supply of vegetables to Chattogram from different parts of the country had decreased due to the Eid-ul-Adha holidays and subsequent incessant rains. However, with a respite from rain over the last seven days, the supply is returning to normal. Trucks and pickup vans carrying various types of vegetables were observed entering the warehouse of Riazuddin Bazar in the city. This scene was noted during visits to various raw markets, including Riazuddin Bazar, on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
Nurul Islam, a godown owner at Riazuddin Bazar, explained that the influx of vegetables from outside the city was hindered by the Eid holidays and rains. "Now that the supply has returned to normal in the raw market of the port city of Chattogram, prices of vegetables have started to fall. The supply of vegetables has increased and prices are coming down," he added.
Shop owner Shibli Faruk noted that monsoon rains immediately following Eid caused water to inundate vegetable fields in many areas, destroying crops and reducing supply, which in turn increased prices in the wholesale market. "Now that the rains have stopped, the supply is somewhat normal again," he remarked. He also indicated that the impact of the price reduction will be noticeable in the retail market.
Chicken shopkeeper Solaiman Badsha of Bahaddarhat Kacha Bazar reported a slight decrease in the price of Sonali and other chickens. Meanwhile, the prices of fish and most groceries remain stable. Retailers in Bahaddarhat, Battery Goli, Kazir Deuri, and Chawkbazar provided an updated list of current vegetable prices, with brinjal selling at Tk 60 to 70 per kg, and other vegetables such as cucumber and bitter gourd also reflecting the recent supply increase.
Tomatoes are being sold at Tk 160 per kg, while potatoes from Munshiganj are priced at Tk 20 to 25, and red potatoes from Bogra are at Tk 30 to 35.