Dhaka, May 16 (V7N) – The prices of daily commodities, including vegetables, eggs, meat, and rice, have seen a sharp rise in several markets across the capital, adding significant pressure to the budgets of lower and middle-income households.

On Friday, visits to markets in Badda, Karwan Bazar, Rampura, and Moghbazar revealed that no vegetable is being sold below Tk 50 per kg, while eggs have soared to Tk 144 per dozen and beef prices have jumped by Tk 30, now selling at Tk 780 per kg.

Among vegetables:

  • Round brinjal: Tk 100/kg

  • Long brinjal: Tk 80/kg

  • Gourd, patol, bitter gourd, chichinga: Tk 60–85/kg

  • Potatoes remain the only exception, selling at Tk 25–30/kg

Due to the increased vegetable prices, eggs are now in higher demand as an alternative protein source. However, sellers attribute the price hike to decreased production caused by excessive heat. As a result:

  • Eggs: Tk 140–144/dozen

  • Golden chicken: Tk 300–310/kg

  • Broiler chicken: Tk 170–180/kg

In the rice market:

  • Old miniket rice: Tk 72–86/kg

  • New miniket is slightly cheaper, though overall prices remain high

  • According to TCB, quality rice is 14% more expensive than the same time last year

The rising beef price, currently at Tk 780/kg, is being linked to reduced supply ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha sacrificial market.

Shoppers, especially from working-class and middle-income backgrounds, expressed growing frustration. "We can no longer manage daily meals within budget," said Mahmuda Akhter, a school teacher shopping in Rampura. "Prices are going up every week, and there's no effective government control."

Traders, on the other hand, cited supply disruptions and production issues as key reasons for the surge.

Consumers are now calling for regular monitoring and urgent government intervention to rein in the price spiral before it further deepens the financial strain on ordinary citizens.

END/MSS/AJ