As across the country, the chicken market in Rangpur is unstable, and egg prices have also risen, putting low-income people in difficulty.

A visit to various markets in Rangpur city on Tuesday (21 March) found that in the retail market Pakistani chickens had risen by Tk 10 a kg from last week to Tk 350–360, while deshi (local) chickens sold at Tk 540–550 and broilers at Tk 250–260 a kg.

Beef was selling at last week's rate of Tk 670–700 a kg and goat meat at Tk 900–1,000 a kg. Poultry eggs had risen from Tk 40–42 to Tk 44–45 a hali (four eggs).

Amir Hossain, a chicken seller at Mulatol Amtala bazar, told Jagonews that ordinary people had cut down on buying beef and goat meat, which had increased pressure on chicken. Because of higher chicken feed prices, farmers cannot supply chickens to meet market demand, so the chicken market is also becoming unstable.

Farhad Hossain, who had come to buy chicken at City Bazar, said Ramadan would begin in two days. "For people like us in the low and middle income groups, chicken is our only hope for a taste of meat at sehri. But at the rate prices have risen, buying one broiler or Pakistani chicken costs four to five hundred taka," he said.

In the vegetable market, tomatoes sold at last week's Tk 25–30 a kg, carrots Tk 25–30, ash gourd Tk 30–35, cucumber Tk 25–30 and thin aubergine Tk 20–25. Round aubergine rose from Tk 30 to Tk 35–40 and papaya from Tk 15–20 to Tk 25–30. Bitter gourd sold at Tk 45–50, lemons Tk 20–25 a hali, green chilli Tk 70–80, dried chilli unchanged at Tk 450–500, bottle gourd Tk 30–40 a piece depending on size, and coriander leaves fell from Tk 70–80 to Tk 50–60.

Green bananas sold at Tk 25–30 a hali, sweet pumpkin Tk 30–35 a kg, beans rose from Tk 25–30 to Tk 35–40, pointed gourd Tk 55–60, and cabbage Tk 15 a piece. Ginger was unchanged at Tk 130–140 a kg, and garlic fell from Tk 110–120 to Tk 80–100 a kg. Bundles of all kinds of leafy greens were available for Tk 10–15. Drumsticks fell from Tk 150–160 to Tk 130–140, and sweet potato was unchanged at Tk 35–40 a kg.

In the retail market, Cardinal potatoes sold at last week's Tk 15–16 a kg and Shil and Jhau potatoes at Tk 30–35. Local onions sold at Tk 35–40 a kg and imported Indian onions at Tk 30–35.

Ali Hossain, a vegetable seller at Lalbagh bazar, said vegetable prices had not changed much over the week. "Drumsticks that were Tk 200 are now available at Tk 130–140. But round aubergine and cucumber prices may rise further because of Ramadan," he said.

In the retail market, a one-litre bottle of soybean oil sold for Tk 187 and two litres for Tk 374, while loose soybean oil sold for Tk 160–190.

In the rice market, Swarna rice was unchanged from last week at Tk 50–52 a kg, Paijam Tk 54–55, BR28 Tk 60–65, Miniket Tk 75–78 and Nazirshail Tk 85.

Loose sugar sold at last week's Tk 115–120 a kg. Packaged atta sold at Tk 65 and loose atta at Tk 58–60, chickpeas fell by Tk 5–10 to Tk 90–95, and packaged flour (maida) sold at Tk 78–80.

Medium lentils sold unchanged at Tk 110–120 a kg, fine lentils Tk 130–140, mung dal Tk 140–150 and chickpea dal Tk 95–100.

In the fish market, depending on size, rui sold at Tk 250–300 a kg, mrigel Tk 220–250, pangas Tk 150–160, tilapia Tk 140–160, catla Tk 400–450, bata Tk 160–180, shing Tk 300–400, silver carp Tk 150–250 and gochi fish Tk 600–650.

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