Photo : Messenger
Consumers in the country, who are already reeling under pressure due to stagflation, have been uneasy about the prices of essential commodities throughout the immediate-past year – with the prices of most of the items going double in the span of merely 12 months.
Finding no respite even in the current vegetable season during this winter, the consumers are of the view that they have not witnessed such a volatile situation in market just within a single year in their recent past.
The buyers complain that if the price of a product increases by Tk 100, it only reduces by Tk 10. Despite it being the peak season for vegetables, prices are not going down. Most winter vegetables and some spices are being sold at 14-100 percent higher prices in the capital city in January this year than in mid-January last year.
According to data from the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), the price of brinjal has increased by 77.78 percent, green papaya by 45.45 percent, pumpkin by 70 percent, tomato by 37.5 percent, cauliflower by 66.67 percent, cabbage by 45.45 percent, bitter gourd by 35 percent, beans by 14.29 percent, and carrots by 14.29 percent.
In the last few weeks, there has been an ample supply of seasonal vegetables like bitter gourd, green papaya, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, and radishes. Moreover, the difference between the production cost and retail price of vegetables in the current season is significantly higher. These only benefits middlemen and retailers, while consumers are suffering.
According to DAM data, the production cost of brinjal is Tk 10.26 per kg, green papaya Tk 9.03 per kg, pumpkin Tk 7.22 per kg, tomato Tk 9.6 per kg, cauliflower Tk 9.11 per kg, and cabbage Tk 9.47 per kg. Besides, the production cost of bitter gourd is Tk 13.2 per kg, radish at Tk 5.5 per kg, cucumber at Tk 10.38 per kg, bean at Tk 11.5 per kg, and carrot at Tk 8.76 per kg.
Agricultural economist and researcher Dr. Jahangir Alam Khan told The Daily Messenger, “The prices of vegetables have increased manifold this season compared to last year’s winter due to high inflation. Another factor is adverse weather, prolonged rainfall during the planting season, as well as ongoing fog and cold waves.”
Saiful Islam, a vegetable trader of Mirpur-6, mentioned that even though it is the peak of winter, vegetable prices in the wholesale market remain high. Domestic onion prices have increased by 100 percent compared to January 2023. Onions, the most essential kitchen items, are being sold at Tk 70-80 per kg while the production cost of onions is only Tk 22.3 per kg. Additionally, the price of local garlic has increased by 86.21 percent, selling at Tk 260-280 per kg, while its production cost is Tk 54.72 per kg.
Meanwhile, in the last two weeks, the price of beef has increased to Tk 700-750 per kg again. Broiler chicken is now priced at Tk 220-230 per kg, and golden chicken is at Tk 340 per kg.
“The prices of everything have gone up this year, but not a single one has come down,” said a shopkeeper, adding, “It is difficult to manage the family when you have to cut expenses in many ways.”
Winter is the vegetable season, and at such a time, prices are supposed to come down. In other years, the prices of vegetables have decreased during this season, but there is no indication of reducing the price of vegetables this time.
In this regard, Mohiuddin Ahmed, convener of Bangladesh Sadharon Nagarik Samaj, a civil society platform, told The Daily Messenger, “I have never seen such a high price in the winter season. Although the market supply is fine, prices are not coming down due to some syndicates.”
He alleged that consumer rights, the Department of Food Safety, and the city corporations are all responsible here. “They are not exercising power for invisible reasons,” he added.
“Indifference in market monitoring is a major reason for price market instability. The price hike of commodities has made our lives miserable,” Golam Rahman, president of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), told The Daily Messenger.
Messenger/Fameema
