RAJSHAHI, Sept 07 (V7N) — Vegetable prices have remained largely stable in Rajshahi markets this week, continuing the trend seen last week. However, while vegetable prices remain relatively affordable, the prices of eggs and chicken have increased.

A visit to Shaheb Bazar and several other kitchen markets in the city found that most vegetables were being sold at prices similar to those of the previous week.

Cucumbers were selling at Tk 40 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk 30, potatoes at Tk 20–25, onions at Tk 45–50, pointed gourd at Tk 30, okra at Tk 25–30, aubergines at Tk 80–90, cauliflower at Tk 60–70, ridge gourd at Tk 30, snake gourd at Tk 30, yardlong beans at Tk 40, taro stems at Tk 40, green papaya at Tk 20 and sweet pumpkin at Tk 30 per kg.

Raw bananas were selling at Tk 25 per four, elephant foot yam at Tk 30 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk 30 each and ash gourd at Tk 30 each.

The prices of carrots and tomatoes have also remained unchanged from last week. Carrots were selling at Tk 140 per kg, while tomatoes were priced at Tk 140–150 per kg.

Among spices, ginger was selling at Tk 180 per kg, Natore garlic at Tk 80 and local garlic at Tk 160–170 per kg. No significant change was observed in the prices of these products.

Meanwhile, chicken and egg prices have increased compared with last week.

Local chicken eggs were selling at Tk 75–80 per four, duck eggs at Tk 70 per four, red farm eggs at Tk 48 per four and white farm eggs at Tk 44 per four.

Among poultry, broiler chicken was selling at Tk 180 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk 250–260, local chicken at Tk 550, white layer chicken at Tk 290, red layer chicken at Tk 340, Fayoumi chicken at Tk 330 and duck at Tk 270 per kg.

Traders said vegetable prices were currently relatively low due to adequate supplies from different areas. However, they expressed concern that continued rainfall in Rajshahi could push vegetable prices higher.

The presence of buyers in the markets was also described as satisfactory as vegetable prices remained under control.

Matiar Rahman, who was shopping at Masterpara Market, said vegetable prices were almost the same as last week, although aubergine had become somewhat more expensive.

He also said chicken prices had increased and egg prices had risen by around Tk 4 per four. Fish prices, however, remained unchanged.

Another buyer, Fatema Begum, said vegetable prices in Rajshahi were currently quite low, but the prices of some other essential commodities were increasing.

Vegetable seller Ali Akbar said adequate supplies of vegetables were arriving daily from different areas, keeping prices stable. However, he noted that aubergine was relatively expensive.

Another trader, Mustafizur Rahman, said there had been no major change in vegetable prices, while the prices of some items had actually fallen. He added that the price of green chillies had also dropped significantly.

“If the market remains this stable, it will be beneficial for both buyers and sellers,” he said.

There was also no significant change in fish prices. Rui was selling at Tk 270–300 per kg, katla at Tk 300–350, tilapia at Tk 170–210, pangas at Tk 180–200, farmed climbing perch at Tk 200–220, farmed shing at Tk 300–350, tengra at Tk 600–700, boal at Tk 650–800, prawns at Tk 650–900, coral fish at Tk 750, local climbing perch at Tk 800–1,000 and local shing at Tk 1,000–1,200 per kg.

Hridoy Ahmed, a chicken trader at Rajshahi Station Market, said broiler chicken had been selling at Tk 150–160 per kg last week but was now being sold at Tk 180, marking an increase of around Tk 20 per kg.

He said prices could rise further if the rainfall continued.

Egg trader Hafiz Uddin, also at the Station Market, said egg prices had increased by Tk 4–6 per four and by up to Tk 30 per dozen.

He said white eggs, which were selling for Tk 40 per four last week, were now priced at Tk 44–45, while red eggs were selling at Tk 48–50 per four.

Prices of other types of eggs have also increased, with retail prices likely to be slightly higher, he added.

END/MRA/SMA/