Dhaka: The prices of at least 20 essential agricultural products, including onion and garlic, have decreased since the July Uprising, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM). According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the DAM's market price data reveals significant reductions in the retail prices of daily essentials. Before the July Uprising in 2024, potatoes were priced at Taka 60 per kilogram. This year, their price has decreased by 58 percent, now costing Taka 25. Locally produced onions were priced at Taka 120, which has now dropped by 12 percent to Taka 105. Imported onions, previously priced at Taka 100, have seen a 25 percent decrease, now costing Taka 75. DAM sources also highlighted reductions in garlic prices. Locally produced garlic was previously Taka 220, now reduced by 45 percent to Taka 120. Chinese garlic has decreased by 22 percent from Taka 220 to Taka 170. Lentils saw a 10 percent price drop, now priced at Taka 100 from an earlier Taka 110. Moog dal, initially Taka 150, now costs Taka 115, reflecting a 23 percent decrease. The price of kheshari dal (grass pea) has decreased by 12 percent to Taka 105, down from Taka 120. Mashkalai per kg previously cost Taka 200, now reduced by 20 percent to Taka 180. Gram (Chhola) has seen a 12 percent decline, priced at Taka 105 from Taka 120. These changes also extend to other products. Raw sugar, which was Taka 135, is now 22 percent cheaper at Taka 105. Imported ginger, initially Taka 300, has dropped by 40 percent to Taka 180, while dried chili has decreased by 28 percent from Taka 350 to Taka 250. Green chili prices have seen a 22 percent reduction, now at Taka 140 from Taka 180. Tomatoes, initially priced at Taka 160, are now 25 percent cheaper at Taka 120. Carrots, previously Taka 100, have experienced a 40 percent decrease to Taka 60. The prices of poultry products have also declined. Domestic chicken per kg has reduced to Taka 580 from Taka 600, broiler chicken is now Taka 170 from Taka 180, and eggs per piece have decreased to Taka 10 from Taka 12.10. The data, sourced from the DAM's retail market price updates for August 2024 and January 8, 2026, reflects these changes. This correspondent visited markets across the city to gather consumer perspectives on the shifts. In Hatirpul Raw Market, Advocate Sohel Rahman shared his thoughts with BSS, attributing the price fluctuations to trader syndicates. He remarked, "Although there has been talk about the business syndicate in the past, we had not seen any initiative from the government. After the mass uprising, the government has been able to reduce the prices of daily necessities, albeit to a small extent." He hopes for further reductions with a change in government. In Palashi Market, Dhaka University student Umme Afsara expressed her views. She noted, "The fascist rulers do not need the people. That is why they never gave priority to the people. That is why the prices of daily necessities were beyond our reach."
