Winter vegetables have started arriving in the market, but their prices remain high in Cox’s Bazar, adding to the cost of daily groceries for consumers.
Fish and meat prices have also remained elevated, putting further pressure on low- and middle-income families.
A visit to Boro Bazar found papaya selling at Tk25–30 per kg, sweet pumpkin at Tk45–50, bottle gourd at Tk40–50 per piece, bitter gourd at Tk110–120, cauliflower at Tk80–90, green chilli at Tk220–240, spinach at Tk60–70, pointed gourd and ridge gourd at around Tk50, potatoes at Tk30–35 and tomatoes at Tk200–220 per kg.
Among other essentials, onions were selling at Tk55–60 per kg, ginger at Tk180, garlic at Tk110, carrots at Tk130–140, and olives at Tk60. Green bananas were selling at Tk30–35 per four pieces.
Meat prices were also high. Broiler chicken was selling at Tk185–190 per kg, cock chicken at Tk250–260, and local chicken at Tk600–650. Beef was priced at Tk780–800 per kg, while mutton was selling at Tk1,250–1,300.
Fish prices varied by type. Pabda was selling at Tk320–350 per kg; rohu and catla at Tk300–320; tilapia at Tk180–200; pangas at Tk200–220; farmed koi at Tk220–240; and local koi at Tk600–650.
Farmed shing was selling at Tk550–650 per kg, tengra at Tk600–700, boal at Tk700–850, shrimp at Tk800–950 and coral fish at Tk750–800.
Jainal, a market customer, said rising prices had made regular grocery shopping increasingly difficult.
“Prices of almost everything have gone up. It has become very difficult to manage the household shopping. The money that used to be enough for a week’s groceries is now barely enough to buy the essentials,” he said.
Vegetable seller Hossain said winter vegetables had started arriving, but supplies were still insufficient.
“Cauliflower, beans and tomatoes are expensive because the supply is not yet adequate. Prices may fall somewhat if supply becomes normal,” he said.
Consumers said their incomes had not kept pace with rising prices of essential goods, making it increasingly difficult to manage daily household expenses.
They called for regular market monitoring and effective measures to keep essential commodity prices under control.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
