Prices of Sonali chicken in Dhaka markets fell sharply on Friday after more than a month of elevated rates, bringing some relief to consumers, though prices of eggs, sugar and onions moved in the opposite direction.

Retail surveys across key markets, including Karwan Bazar, Shantinagar, Rampura and Badda, showed Sonali chicken selling at Tk 350-360 per kg, down by nearly Tk 100 from Tk 430-460 earlier this month. However, prices remain well above the Tk 280-320 per kg range seen at the start of March.

Traders attribute the decline to a reduction in bird flu mortality rates at farms.

Narsingdi-based supplier Aminul said avian influenza had wiped out 70-80 percent of Sonali chicken stocks at many farms in recent months. “As the death toll among poultry has eased somewhat, selling at lower prices has become possible again.”

But transport costs continue to act as a floor on prices. Karwan Bazar trader Ebadur said truck fares have risen by over Tk 3,500 per trip, making it impossible to bring retail prices back to Tk 280 per kg regardless of farm-gate improvements.

Broiler chicken also dipped to Tk 180-190 per kg from Tk 200-220, while indigenous chicken eased to Tk 700-720 per kg from Tk 750-780 the previous week.

Egg prices rose by Tk 10-20 per dozen, with a dozen now fetching Tk 130-140 against last week's Tk 120. Loose sugar climbed to Tk 110-115 per kg from Tk 100-105, while onion prices edged up to Tk 40-45 per kg from Tk 35.

Beef prices, which spiked around Eid-ul-Fitr, remain stubbornly high at Tk 820-850 per kg, up from the pre-Eid norm of Tk 750-800. with no sign of retreat after two months.

Hilsa prices have roughly halved since Pahela Baishakh, according to sellers. But shoppers remain sceptical. Rampura buyer Saidul said medium-sized Hilsa is still going for Tk 1,800-2,000 per kg, up from Tk 1,500 a month ago while larger fish above one kilogram is selling at Tk 2,500-2,600 per kg compared to Tk 2,200 previously.

Bottled edible oil supply has yet to be normal. Consumers complained that five-litre soybean oil bottles are unavailable at most shops, forcing them to buy loose oil at premium prices. Shoppers called on authorities to step up market monitoring to restore normal supply conditions.