Consumers in Dhaka are experiencing rising prices across several essential food items, including sugar, soybean oil, eggs, chicken, vegetables, and fish, placing additional strain on household budgets. Market visits to areas such as New Market, Karwan Bazar, and Hatirpool kitchen market revealed that packaged sugar and bottled soybean oil are both scarce and selling above government-fixed maximum retail prices (MRP).
Packaged sugar, for instance, carries an MRP of Tk110 per kilogram but was observed selling for Tk115 to Tk120 in some outlets. Several shopkeepers reported sourcing sugar at prices higher than the printed rate, forcing them to raise retail prices accordingly. To avoid confrontation with customers over the price disparity, some sellers have resorted to opening sealed sugar packets and selling the sugar loose. Bottled soybean oil, marked with an MRP of Tk204 per litre, was being offered at around Tk210 or was sometimes unavailable in the markets.
Prices for eggs and chicken have also increased notably. Farm eggs were selling for Tk155 to Tk160 a dozen, up Tk10 to Tk15 compared to the previous week, with some vendors charging Tk60 for four eggs. Broiler chicken prices ranged from Tk180 to Tk190 per kilogram, reaching up to Tk200 in certain areas, while Somali chicken was prices between Tk300 and Tk340 depending on the variety. Retailers cited rising costs of feed, veterinary medicines, transportation, and the use of diesel generators during electricity load-shedding as key factors behind the price hikes. Elevated transportation expenses were also said to contribute to increased prices for eggs and other essential commodities.
Most vegetables saw price increases as well. Common varieties such as eggplant, bitter gourd, yardlong beans, okra, pointed gourd, and teasel gourd were priced from Tk70 to Tk120 per kilogram. Cucumbers sold at Tk50-60 a kg, with local variants commanding Tk80-100. Early-season beans fetched around Tk200 per kilogram. In contrast, green chilli prices declined from a recent peak of Tk200 per kilogram to Tk120-140, as increased supply eased earlier shortages. Shoppers expressed concern over the overall cost of vegetables, with one noting that “everything is expensive.”
Fish prices remained elevated, adding further pressure on consumers. Rui fish was selling at Tk380-400 per kilogram for smaller sizes and up to Tk450 for larger ones. Medium and large katla fish commanded prices around Tk400 and Tk450 per kilogram respectively. Tilapia prices ranged between Tk240 for smaller sizes and Tk280 for larger ones, while pangas sold for Tk200-220 per kilogram. Farmed shrimp commanded significantly higher prices, from Tk700 to Tk1,100 per kilogram depending on size. Fish sellers attributed these increases largely to higher transportation costs, which raised wholesale prices and subsequently retail rates.
Overall, the combination of supply shortages, increased input and transportation costs, and ongoing electricity challenges have contributed to rising food prices in Dhaka’s markets, affecting a broad range of staple items used daily by consumers.