Vegetable prices in the capital’s kitchen markets have taken a slight downturn after weeks of hovering around the 100 BDT per kg mark. While consumers are seeing some relief with most vegetables now retailing around 80 BDT per kg, many argue that prices remain far too high for comfort.
A market survey conducted across various kitchen markets on Friday (May 22) revealed that increased supply has helped bring down the rates of several key staples, though certain premium items like round eggplants and tomatoes continue to command a higher price.
Current Market Rates
While a majority of vegetables have settled at a baseline of 80 BDT per kg, the prices vary across different types:
| Vegetable | Price Range |
| Round Eggplant (Begun) | 100 BDT per kg |
| Long Eggplant | 70 BDT per kg |
| Tomatoes | 80 – 100 BDT per kg |
| Green Chilies | 120 BDT per kg |
| Bitter Gourd (Korola), Yardlong Bean (Borboti), Papaya, Pointed Gourd (Potol) | 80 BDT per kg |
| Cucumber (Shosha), Okra (Dherosh), Green Banana (per hali/4 pcs) | 60 BDT per kg |
| Sweet Pumpkin | 50 BDT per kg |
| Gourd (Lau) / Ash Gourd (Jali) | 60 – 80 BDT per piece |
Frustration Over Market Monitoring
Despite the marginal drop from last week’s triple-digit rates, consumers remain frustrated by the high cost of living. Shihabul Islam, a private sector employee shopping at Malibagh market, expressed his dissatisfaction with the current pricing structure.
“Last week, almost everything was 100 BDT or more. Today, it’s slightly lower, but calling it ‘cheap’ would be wrong since almost every single vegetable is stuck at 80 BDT per kg,” Islam noted. He added:
“Shopkeepers seem to be fixing prices arbitrarily. We don’t see any active market monitoring initiatives. If the authorities properly monitored these markets, vegetable prices would likely be much lower.”
Traders Warn of Pre-Eid Price Spikes
Vendors have acknowledged the price drop but are already warning of potential supply chain disruptions as Eid-ul-Adha approaches.
Mokbul Hossain, a vendor at Malibagh, confirmed that supply increases have cooled down the market compared to the previous week, noting that only round eggplants and high-quality tomatoes are managing to hold onto the 100 BDT mark.
However, Kamal Uddin, a trader at Rampura market, warned that this relief might be short-lived. “Prices have eased slightly for now, but with the upcoming Eid, transport issues and severe traffic congestion are likely to squeeze the supply chain, which could drive prices right back up during the festival,” he explained. Uddin noted that a permanent drop in prices will only happen once new seasonal harvests fully enter the wholesale markets.
