Prices of winter vegetables and fish declined in several kitchen markets across Dhaka over the past week due to increased supplies, while rice prices experienced a second consecutive weekly rise, according to market observations on October 23.

In the areas of Mirpur-1, Mirpur-11, Ibrahimpur, Shewrapara, and Kazipara, traders reported that most winter vegetables became 10 to 20 taka less expensive per kilogram compared to the previous week. Except for flat beans, carrots, and tomatoes, the price range for vegetables fell to between 40 and 80 taka per kilogram from 50 to 100 taka.

Vegetable vendor Imam Hossain, speaking at Kazipara Kitchen Market, attributed the price drop to an increase in supply, which also encouraged more customers to visit the markets. Cauliflowers and cabbages were priced at 40 to 60 taka each, down from 60 to 80 taka a week earlier. Radishes decreased to 40 to 50 taka per kilogram, from 50 to 60 taka. Similarly, ridge gourd, sponge gourd, and pointed gourd each dropped by about 10 taka to 40-50 taka per kilogram.

Leafy greens also saw price reductions, with bottle gourd leaves and malabar spinach selling for 30 taka per bundle, and red amaranth at 10 taka. Local green tomatoes were priced at 120 taka per kilogram, ripe tomatoes at 180 taka, and imported Indian tomatoes ranged from 120 to 150 taka.

Among other items, local onions fell to 45-50 taka per kilogram from 50-60 taka, green chillies to 100-120 taka from 120-140 taka, and coriander leaves dropped sharply to 120 taka from 160-200 taka.

Consumers expressed mixed reactions to the changes. Abdul Khalek, shopping at Kazipara Mosque Market, welcomed the price decreases, noting a 20-25 percent decline over the past month. However, Salma Akter of Mirpur-1 City Corporation Market argued that the reductions were insufficient for low-income families, pointing out that some vegetables like flat beans and tomatoes remained relatively high-priced despite the winter season when supply typically rises.

Fish prices also declined amid greater availability in Mirpur-1 markets. Varieties including farmed, wetland, and Indian imported fish dropped by 20 to 100 taka per kilogram. For example, chital fell to 500 taka from 600, tengra declined to 350 taka from 400, and swamp barb decreased within a range of 200 to 300 taka from 250 to 300. Farmed rohu and katla fish each fell by about 20 taka per kilogram. Nonetheless, traders reported sluggish sales attributed to limited consumer purchasing power as the month draws to a close.

Egg prices similarly dipped by roughly 5 taka per dozen, with farm eggs now selling for 135 to 140 taka.

Meat prices remained stable, with broiler chicken at 170-180 taka per kilogram, Sonali chicken at 300-320 taka, beef between 720 and 780 taka, and mutton at 1,200-1,250 taka.

Despite these decreases, rice prices rose by 1 taka per kilogram for the second straight week across most varieties. Kamal Hossain, proprietor of Makbul Rice Agency at Mirpur-11, explained the increases as the result of rising transportation costs and depleting stocks of older rice varieties at the end of the season. He indicated that new rice supplies would likely take at least two months to reach the market.