Rising Prices of Oil and Chicken in the Capital

Staff Report: PNN

In the retail markets of the capital, the prices of essential commodities have once again risen. Along with soybean oil and chicken, the vegetable market has also become less affordable compared to earlier. Specifically, notable price increases have been observed over the past week for ridge gourd, bottle gourd, and small pumpkins.

On Friday, visits to Kawnanbazar, Shantinagar, and New Market areas revealed that bottled soybean oil prices have increased. A two-liter bottle of soybean oil is now being sold for around 390 to 395 Taka, which is approximately 10 Taka higher than the previous week. The price of a one-liter bottled oil is around 195 Taka. This increase in soybean oil prices is also reflected in the market price report of the government organization Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

The chicken market has also shown an upward trend. Within a week, the price of broiler chicken has risen by about 10 Taka per kilogram and is currently being sold at 180 Taka per kilogram. In the case of Sonali chicken, the price has increased even more, by 10 to 20 Taka per kilogram, making the market price 290 to 300 Taka.

Traders at the Shantinagar market stated that the demand for chicken has increased during the winter season due to weddings, social events, and picnics, which has affected the prices. However, according to TCB data, the current market price is still somewhat lower than the same period last year. At this time last year, the price of broiler chicken was 190 to 210 Taka per kilogram.

Although the price of chicken has risen, the egg market remains stable. Currently, farm-produced brown eggs are being sold at 110 to 115 Taka per dozen, which is lower than last year, when the price was 132 to 144 Taka per dozen.

In the vegetable market, much of the previous affordability has been lost. Ridge gourd, which was sold at 60 to 80 Taka per kilogram last week, has now reached 100 to 120 Taka. The price of bottle gourd has also increased and is being sold at 60 to 100 Taka per piece depending on size. The price of small pumpkins has risen to 60 to 70 Taka each.

However, some vegetables have become slightly more affordable. The price of cauliflower has decreased and is now being sold at 30 to 40 Taka per kilogram, down from 40 to 50 Taka last week. Other vegetables include radish at 40 Taka per kilogram, beans at 40 to 60 Taka, turnips at 30 to 40 Taka, potatoes at 30 to 40 Taka, and eggplant at 60 to 70 Taka per kilogram. Tomato prices range from 80 to 90 Taka per kilogram, and green chili is priced at 100 to 120 Taka per kilogram.

In the onion market, some relief is being observed. The price of new local onions has slightly decreased and is currently 50 to 55 Taka per kilogram. Most onions in the market are local. Additionally, imported Indian onions are being sold for 65 to 70 Taka, and old local onions are priced at around 80 Taka per kilogram.