Winter Vegetables Hit the Market as Prices Remain Stable

Winter vegetables have recently started entering capital markets in Bangladesh, helping stabilize vegetable prices over the past week. However, the costs of protein staples, specifically fish, chicken, and eggs, remain high, keeping household budgets under severe strain. Persistent inflation in essential commodities continues to disproportionately affect low- and middle-income families, who frequently observe weekly price hikes on daily goods. While vendors anticipate price reductions in the coming weeks as winter harvests peak, high transportation fees continue to exert upward pressure on retail prices.

Supply improvements are already evident for early-winter produce like hyacinth beans, eggplants, and radishes, leading to slight rate drops. Hyacinth beans now sell at 120 taka per kg, down from last week’s 140-160 taka range. Eggplants range between 80 and 120 taka per kg depending on variety, while cauliflowers and cabbages sell for 60-80 taka and 60-70 taka per piece, respectively. Meanwhile, year-round items like tomatoes remain high at 140-160 taka per kg, green chilies cost 140 taka, and green papayas offer the cheapest option at 30 taka per kg.

Commenting on current market trends, vegetable vendor Abdus Samad noted, ‘Wholesale supplies are somewhat better than before. With winter vegetables starting to arrive, prices may drop. However, transportation costs and high freight charges often force retail prices to stay slightly higher.’ Meanwhile, broiler chicken sells at 180-190 taka per kg, Sonali chicken at 310-330 taka, and red eggs at 150-160 taka per dozen. Egg seller Alam stated, ‘Egg prices are stable. We hope egg prices will drop significantly in the coming days. Overall, some relief may return to the market soon.’

Despite optimism in the poultry sector, prices in the fish market offer no relief to struggling consumers. Common freshwater species like Rui sell between 350 and 600 taka per kg, while Katla costs 300 to 550 taka depending on size. Premium items like prawns command up to 1,600 taka per kg, while even budget options remain elevated, with Tilapia selling at 230 taka per kg and Pangas at 220 taka per kg. These prices leave lower-income shoppers with few affordable protein alternatives.

Expressing deep frustration over the persistently high cost of living, shopper Akram highlighted the daily financial struggle, stating that earnings no longer align with expenses and that including protein on the dinner plate has now become a luxury. He noted that although prices for one or two vegetables have declined, there is no overall relief in the market. Even the prices of broiler chicken, Tilapia, and Pangas fish remain high, making it extremely difficult to run a household on a limited income.