The price of broiler chicken has risen by Tk 15 a kg in the past week, bringing the increase over four consecutive weeks to Tk 45 a kg. After the steady rises, broiler chicken now costs Tk 200 a kg.

Sonali chicken also became dearer over the week, while most vegetable prices were unchanged. Even so, all kinds of vegetables are selling at high prices at the height of the winter vegetable season.

A visit to various markets in the capital on Friday, 31 December, found traders selling broiler chicken at Tk 195 to 200 a kg, against Tk 180 to 185 last week and Tk 150 to 155 four weeks ago.

Pakistani cock, or sonali chicken, has also risen. Traders are selling it at Tk 300 to 340 a kg, against Tk 290 to 300 last week and Tk 250 to 270 three weeks ago.

Jasim Uddin, a trader at Karwan Bazar, said the supply of broiler chicken had been low for several weeks, so prices kept rising in stages. "Seeing the trend, we guessed weeks ago that it would reach Tk 200 a kg at any time," he said.

Md Milon, a trader in Rampura, said: "At the rate broiler prices are rising, we won't be surprised even if it reaches Tk 250 a kg. Only yesterday I sold broiler at Tk 180 a kg. In a single day it has gone up to Tk 200."

Md Mamun, shopping for chicken at Rampura market, said: "Yesterday evening I saw broiler selling at Tk 180 a kg. Today I find it at Tk 200. If prices keep rising like this, meat will vanish from the plates of low-income people like us. Those responsible should act quickly to control prices."

At Malibagh market, bank officer Mahim said prices of one item after another were rising because the market was not properly monitored, causing hardship for ordinary people.

Farm egg prices were unchanged, at Tk 100 a dozen as last week. Onion prices were also steady, with new local onions at Tk 40 a kg.

In the vegetable markets, traders were selling cauliflower at Tk 30 to 60 each and flat beans at Tk 40 to 50 a kg, with seeded beans at Tk 60 to 70. These prices were unchanged over the week.

Old potatoes were unchanged at Tk 25 a kg, but new potatoes fell from Tk 30 a kg last week to Tk 20.

Ripe tomatoes and carrots were also unchanged, at Tk 40 to 60 and Tk 40 to 50 a kg respectively.

Yardlong beans sold at Tk 50 to 70 a kg, radish at Tk 30 to 40 a kg and kohlrabi at Tk 30 to 40 a kg. Bunches of red amaranth and radish greens cost Tk 10 to 15 and spinach Tk 15 to 20 a bunch, all unchanged over the week.

In the fish markets, rui sold at Tk 300 to 450 a kg, and catla at the same price. Shing and taki cost Tk 250 to 350 a kg, shol Tk 600 to 650, and tilapia and pangas Tk 150 to 170 a kg. These prices were unchanged over the week.

Hilsa weighing one kilogram sold at Tk 1,000 to 1,200, and small hilsa at Tk 500 to 600 a kg. Nola fish cost Tk 170 to 200 a kg and prawns Tk 600 to 650 a kg, also unchanged over the week.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.