Vegetable prices have started to fall in Khulna's markets. With winter vegetables arriving, prices of all kinds of vegetables have dropped by Tk 10-15, and all types of chicken are down by up to Tk 20 a kg. This was found on a visit to Khulna's Notun Bazar, New Market and Mistripara Bazar on Sunday (2 November).

Aubergine is selling at Tk 60-70 a kg, bitter gourd at Tk 70-80, yardlong beans at Tk 60-70, pointed gourd at Tk 40-50, red amaranth at Tk 25-30, spinach at Tk 25-30, bottle gourd leaves at Tk 40-50 a kg, pumpkin at Tk 40 a kg, okra at Tk 40-50, bottle gourd at Tk 40-50 a piece, tomatoes at Tk 80-100 a kg, flat beans at Tk 70-80 a kg, cauliflower at Tk 100-120 a kg and green chillies at Tk 180-200 a kg depending on quality. Onions are selling at Tk 70-80 and garlic at Tk 80-100 a kg.

Broiler chicken is selling at Tk 160-170 a kg, Sonali at Tk 250 a kg and layer at Tk 260-270 a kg. Beef is Tk 750 a kg and mutton Tk 1,150 to 1,200 a kg.

In the fish market, rui costs Tk 250-300 depending on size, bhetki Tk 500-600 a kg depending on size, and shrimp Tk 600-1,000 a kg. Tilapia is Tk 160-180, pabda Tk 300-350, pangas Tk 170-200 and small fish Tk 300-400 a kg.

Masud Kazi, a vegetable trader at Mistri Bazar, said many vegetables had been expensive. "With new vegetables arriving, most prices have fallen. But winter vegetables are still somewhat expensive. When more winter vegetables start coming in, prices will come within reach."

Emon Sheikh, a fish trader at Notun Bazar, said most fish prices had fallen by Tk 40-50 and fish shipments had risen this week. Fish had been expensive for several months and there had been fewer buyers, he said. "When sea fish are in the market, all fish prices stay low."

Khokon Faraji, shopping at Mistripara Bazar, said vegetables had been very expensive for months. "Even though some prices have fallen, they are still high relative to the market. Aubergine is down Tk 20 a kg but still stands at Tk 60, which is still high. No winter vegetable is below Tk 80."

Another shopper, Akram Hossain, said chicken was cheap. "But even though fish and vegetable prices have fallen, they are still not within everyone's reach. It is a struggle to buy two kinds of vegetables with Tk 100. If prices fall further, the pressure on the household budget will ease a little."

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