Motin Akondo of Rampura has five people in his family and keeps eggs in their daily diet for nutrition. But seeing the high price in the market, he is buying fewer than before, and others have also cut back even though they need them.

Two weeks ago a dozen eggs cost Tk 130 to 140 in the market; now they sell for Tk 150. The rise has hurt low-income people. Most vegetables in the market also cost more than Tk 80.

Rising prices were seen at Mouchak, Malibagh, Rampura and Karwan Bazar in the capital on Friday, 14 August.

Retailers blame wholesalers for the rise. Sajal Mallick, an egg seller at Rampura market, said: "We make a profit of Tk 2 to 6 a dozen. Wholesale prices are high now. Many chickens are dying because of floods and the power crisis, so prices are higher."

M Safir Rahman, general secretary of the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA), said the price depends on market demand and supply. Many farmers across the country have suffered heavy losses in the floods, creating a supply shortfall that has affected prices.

Green chilli has eased somewhat, selling at Tk 140 to 150 a kg against Tk 360 to 380 the week before. Most vegetables are not below Tk 80. Brinjal sells at Tk 100 to 120 a kg, carrot at Tk 120, okra at Tk 50, bitter gourd at Tk 80 to 100, ridge gourd at Tk 80, bottle gourd at Tk 80, pointed gourd at Tk 60, ash gourd at Tk 50, pumpkin at Tk 50, taro at Tk 70 and spiny gourd at Tk 80.

Spice prices are unchanged: onions sell at Tk 60 a kg, potatoes at Tk 30, garlic at Tk 150 and ginger at Tk 180.

Chicken prices are also unchanged: broiler Tk 190 a kg, Sonali Tk 320 to 330, hybrid Tk 290 to 300 and layer Tk 340 a kg. Beef sells at Tk 850 a kg and goat meat at Tk 1,300.

Rice prices too are steady: coarse rice Tk 52 to 55 a kg, BR-28 Tk 60, miniket Tk 78 and Katari Nazir Tk 85.

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