A colourful array of summer fresh vegetables is now on display at Cox’s Bazar’s traditional Boro Bazar as increased supplies from local farms and other parts of the country have boosted market availability.
Stalls across the market are laden with vegetables of various colours, including green, red, purple and yellow, creating a vibrant atmosphere for shoppers.
A visit to the market on Friday morning found vendors displaying a wide range of produce, including aubergines, tomatoes, bitter gourds, cucumbers, pointed gourds, ridge gourds, teasel gourds, okra, yardlong beans, bottle gourds, pumpkins and different varieties of leafy vegetables.
Traders said the prices of several vegetables have eased somewhat compared with the pre-Eid period, when demand was higher.
Current retail prices at the market range from Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kilogram for aubergines, Tk 80-90 for bitter gourds, Tk 70-80 for pointed gourds, Tk 60-80 for ridge gourds, Tk 60-80 for cucumbers, and Tk 80-100 for tomatoes. Carrots are being sold at Tk 150-160 per kilogram, while green chilies continue to remain comparatively expensive.
Hasan, a customer at the market, said that although the prices of some items had declined compared with a few days ago, vegetables were still costly relative to the purchasing power of ordinary consumers.
Traders, however, said daily price fluctuations largely depend on transportation costs and supply conditions.
Vegetable seller Zahir said market conditions could improve further in the coming days if favourable weather continues and supplies from producing regions increase.
“Additional supplies could help further stabilise prices. However, if demand rises significantly, the prices of some vegetables may increase again,” he said.
Market observers noted that the improved supply has brought greater variety to the market, providing consumers with a wider selection of fresh produce despite ongoing concerns over food prices.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
