Hilsa gets cheaper as veggies, onions, eggs, chicken cost more in Dhaka

While hilsa prices eased in the capital’s kitchen markets on Friday, the cost of vegetables, onions, eggs and chicken continued to rise, mounting pressure on consumers already struggling with higher food inflation.

A visit to several kitchen markets revealed that smaller-sized hilsa, which had been selling for Tk 800–900 per kg, is now available at Tk 650–700.

Medium-sized hilsa prices have dropped from Tk 1,800–2,000 to Tk 1,400–1,600 per kg, while large hilsa weighing a kilo or more now fetch Tk 2,000–2,300, down from Tk 2,400–2,600 just days ago.

Despite the fall in hilsa prices, other fish varieties remained unchanged.

Rui and katla were selling at Tk 380–450 per kg depending on size, shing and magur at Tk 450–500, tilapia at Tk 180–250, boal and coral at Tk 900–1,200, giant freshwater prawns (galda) at Tk 1,200–1,500 and sea prawns (bagda) at Tk 750–850.

Beef prices have eased slightly in recent days, from Tk 800 to Tk 750–780 per kg in most markets. Mutton prices, however, remain unchanged at Tk 1,100–1,200 per kg.

Chicken prices, in contrast, have climbed. Broiler chicken rose by Tk 10–15 per kg from last week’s Tk 160, now selling for Tk 170–180 depending on location.

Pakistani Sonali chicken prices also surged, from Tk 300 to Tk 320–330 per kg this week.

Egg prices saw a similar upward trend. In wholesale hubs like Karwan Bazar and Kaptan Bazar, a dozen brown broiler eggs were priced at Tk 130, while retail rates ranged between Tk 135–140.

White eggs were slightly cheaper, selling for Tk 125–130 per dozen.

Vegetable prices also soared, with green chilli topping the list. While chilli was selling for Tk 150–160 per kg in Karwan Bazar and Mohammadpur Town Hall Market, prices shot up to Tk 200 in Shantinagar, Rampura and Badda.

Cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes and eggplants were priced above Tk 100 per kg, while other vegetables ranged between Tk 40–80.

Traders attributed the spike to reduced supply due to recent rains.

Onion prices also jumped sharply, now selling for Tk 70–80 per kg compared to Tk 60–65 just days earlier.

Shoppers expressed frustration over the sudden hike.

According to official data, the prices of almost all essential commodities have increased over the past month, with the impact clearly reflected in inflation figures.

In July, food inflation rose by 0.17 percentage points to 7.56 percent, up from 7.39 percent in June.