While vegetable prices in Dhaka’s markets have eased, the soaring cost of beef, mutton, and most fish continues to strain household budgets—leaving many low and middle-income families relying heavily on chicken as an affordable protein source.
On Friday morning (May 23), visits to several major markets in the capital—including Khilkhet, Banasree, Rampura, Malibagh, and Karwan Bazar—revealed a drop in vegetable prices. However, prices of red meat and many fish varieties remain steep, prompting frustration among regular buyers.
Market insiders reported that while broiler, Sonali, and local chickens are being sold at relatively stable rates, beef is selling at Tk 750–780 per kg, mutton at Tk 1,250, and goat meat at Tk 1,100 per kg. Due to these high prices, many consumers are skipping meat stalls and turning instead to poultry.
Broiler chicken is available at Tk 170–180 per kg, Sonali and layer chickens at Tk 250–260, deshi chicken at Tk 550–600, and ducks are selling for Tk 600–700 each—offering consumers a measure of relief.
The fish market, however, paints a mixed picture. While prices of tilapia and pangas remain relatively affordable, most fish still command high rates. Rui is priced at Tk 250–350 per kg, katla at Tk 300–400, shrimp at Tk 650–900, tengra at Tk 550–700, farmed shing at Tk 350–450, and koi at Tk 200–250. Tilapia is selling for Tk 150–220, pangas at Tk 180–220, and coral fish up to Tk 750 per kg.
High-value varieties like boal (Tk 600–700), poa (Tk 400), aier (Tk 700–750), native koi (Tk 800–1,000), and native shing (Tk 1,000–1,200) remain out of reach for many buyers.
Retailers insist they have little control over price fluctuations, which depend largely on wholesale market trends. The poultry sector, especially broiler chicken, stands as a rare example of stability.
In other essentials, the price of eggs has risen over the past month. A dozen eggs, once priced at Tk 115–120, now costs Tk 130–140.
Meanwhile, rice prices have dropped slightly. The arrival of new Boro rice has led to a Tk 1–2 decrease per kg in finer varieties. Most miniket rice now sells at around Tk 75 per kg, with branded types like Diamond, Monjur, and Sagar priced at Tk 75, Rosheed at Tk 72, and Mozammel miniket at Tk 82.
Najirshail is being sold between Tk 80–95 depending on quality, while BRRI-28 and BRRI-29 rice are steady at Tk 58, and Swarna at Tk 55 per kg.
Onion prices remain unchanged, ranging from Tk 55–60 per kg in large markets and Tk 60–70 in neighborhood stalls. Potatoes are priced at Tk 20–25, local garlic at Tk 120–140, and imported garlic at Tk 220–240 per kg.
Vegetable prices remained mostly stable compared to last week. Items like pointed gourd, okra, tomato, ridge gourd, snake gourd, sponge gourd, and bottle gourd are selling for Tk 40–60 per kg, while yardlong beans, papaya, teasel gourd, and eggplant are priced at Tk 60–80.
Despite slight relief in select items, families continue to feel the pressure of high protein costs—reshaping their shopping habits across Dhaka’s marketplaces.
LND/BG
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