United News of Bangladesh

The prices of vegetables and other essential kitchen items have surged in Khulna markets following Eid-ul-Azha. After several days of meat-heavy meals during the Eid, many consumers are now turning to vegetables and fish for a lighter diet. But vendors appear to be capitalising on this shift in demand, with several shoppers alleging that traders are charging inflated prices under various pretexts. Shoppers said that vegetable prices were at a reasonable level about a week before Eid but in the post-Eid market prices have surged by Tk 20 per kilogram. Relaxed market monitoring post-Ramadan sends onion prices soaring in Khulna “Prices were fairly stable before Eid, but now they have jumped without any justification. After days of heavy eating, people are switching to vegetables, and traders are taking advantage of it,” said Redwan Ahmed, a customer at a local kitchen market. Another shopper, Sohel Rana, said, “We’ve been eating meat for a week straight. Now we’re looking for something lighter but the prices are high.” A market visit on Saturday revealed that brinjal was selling at Tk 70–80 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk 60–70, bitter gourd at Tk 70–80, okra at Tk 40–50, cabbage at Tk 50–60, teasle gourd at Tk 60–70, ivy gourd at Tk 50–60, taro stem at Tk 50–60, sponge gourd at Tk 30–40, tomato at Tk 60–70, papaya at Tk 50–55, sweet pumpkin at Tk 30–40, red spinach at Tk 40–45 per bundle, bottle gourd at Tk 45–50 each, a four-piece bunch of raw bananas at Tk 40, and potatoes at Tk 20–25 per kg. Over 326,000 pieces of Qurbani hides preserved in Khulna Division Traders point to supply constraints caused by the Eid holidays and ongoing monsoon rains. “From farmers to wholesalers, many have gone home for Eid. Though crops are in the fields, harvesting has slowed, resulting in reduced supply,” said Zahidul, a vegetable vendor.  “We’re not charging extra—we’re simply adding a small margin to our purchase price,” he said. Mohammad, another trader, said, “Many people travelled from Dhaka to their hometowns for Eid. When they return, the demand will rise while the supply may still lag behind, causing further price hikes.” Sheikh Polash Hossain, joint general secretary of the Daulatpur Market Merchant Association and president of the Local Vegetable Traders’ Association, acknowledged the situation. “Post-Eid price increases are quite normal. Due to rain and labour shortages, farmers are facing challenges in harvesting. This has led to a temporary supply crunch which is why prices seem high. Once supply improves, prices are expected to stabilise,” he said. Though traders insist that the price hike is temporary and justified by supply chain disruptions, the sudden increase is putting pressure on household budgets at a time when many are still recovering from festive expenses.

Prices of essential commodities, particularly those used for iftar, have increased in Khulna’s markets with the onset of Ramadan, with some items seeing a two-to threefold hike. Locals said prices of eggplant, cucumber, and lemon—highly sought after for iftar— have been doubled despite adequate supply in the markets. Visiting KCC Sandhya Bazaar on Saturday the UNB correspondent found eggplant is currently selling for Tk 60-80 per kg, up from Tk 25-30 just a week ago. Cucumbers which were Tk 30 per kg last week are now being sold at Tk 60-80. Four lemons which were selling at Tk 20-30 few days ago are now selling for more than double that price. A similar trend was observed in other city markets, including Mistripara Bazaar, Rupsha Bazaar, and Moylapota Sandhya Bazar. Date prices drop by Tk100 to Tk400 per kg amid huge import Broiler chicken is selling for Tk 200-210 per kg while Sonali chicken is priced at Tk 320-340 per kg and layer chicken is being sold for up to Tk 320 per kg. When asked about the price hike, a poultry seller at KCC Sandhya Bazaar said, "Farm supply has decreased slightly, which is why prices are higher. However, chicken prices will remain within people’s purchasing capacity during Ramadan." A vegetable vendor at "Mayer Doa Vegetable Shop" in KCC Sandhya Bazar said that wholesale prices have doubled in just two days, despite stable supply. "Wholesalers have increased prices due to high demand, leaving us vendors to face complaints from consumers," he said. Taslima, a shopper at the market, expressed frustration over the rising costs. "I had hoped prices would remain stable this Ramadan, but as demand increases, so do the prices," she said. She said beef, which was selling for Tk 700 per kg, has now been hiked by another Tk 50 instead of decreasing. Khulna consumers face price hikes of some essential commodities A team led by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Nurul Hai Mohammad Anas, along with Executive Magistrate Muntasir Mamun, is inspecting markets to curb price manipulation.