Photo : Collected
The primary protein sources for those with lower incomes are eggs, broiler chickens, and shonali chickens. The price of these products is set by the government, therefore the markets are once again unstable. They are not offered for sale at the set price.
At the same time, the price of vegetables in the capital also increased during the week on the pretext of rain. The middle class and lower middle class are in trouble.
On Saturday (September 28) several markets of the capital were visited to identify the prices of eggs, vegetables and chicken. The investigation found that the prices of the products have increased compared to before. There is no record of reduction in the prices of other essential commodities like onion and potatoes too.
The eggs are priced at Tk 14 in wholesale level and currently sums up Tk 55 for four eggs. However, it has been seen that an egg is sold for Tk 15 in local shops. But, when consumers buy them in hali or in dozen, they have to pay a higher price. The price per dozen has also increased to Tk 170. Retailers and wholesalers are saying the prices are not affordable, rather they are high.
Meanwhile, broiler and shonali chicken prices have increased in the market. The price of broiler chicken was Tk 170 to Tk 180 per kg a week ago, which has now become Tk 190 to Tk 200 per kg. Thus, Tk 20 per kg has increased in a week. The price of shonali chicken also increased by Tk 10. It has become Tk 270 to Tk 280 which was Tk 260 to Tk 270 last week.
Dr. Shahanaz Ferdush, assistant prof of Khulna Medical Collage told the Daily Messenger “Due to high price of egg and boiler chicken, the lower income people cannot afford this protein items. Resulted, a big group of people are deprived from protein.”
She said, If the situation continues for long, a faction of people in the society will face health Hazard soon which will the huge pressure for the economy.
Dr Dipannita Saha, assistant prof Bangabandhu Medical College said “Protein is one of the main elements for good health but the lower income people cannot consume necessary amount of the item. So, day by day they are falling in short for protein.
As, the major part of the people fall under lower and middle-lower income category, the government should take an immediate action to reduce the prices protein items, she said.
On the other hand, the prices of potatoes and onions have been rising in the market for several months. At present potato is being sold at Tk 60 per kg and desi onion at Tk 110 to Tk 120 per kg.
Shariful Islam, a customer in the market told the Daily Messenger “There is no relief for low-income people like us if the prices of essential products are not reduced. Now everything seems to be going out of our capacity. The cost of many necessities, such as eggs, potatoes, and onions, is higher now than it is during other seasons of the year.”
A customer complained that even though the government has set the price there is no monitoring in the market. Due to which they are increasing the price as per their wish. The government should send officials for monitoring the prices in each bazaar.
A month ago, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) reduced the duty at the import level to bring down the prices of potatoes and onions. The existing 25 percent import duty on potato imports has been reduced to 15 percent. Apart from this, the regulatory duty of 3 percent on potato imports and 5 percent on onion import has been exempted. But it had no effect in the market.
It has been observed that the prices of several vegetables have increased by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg compared to the previous week. Vendors say that the supply of vegetables has decreased due to continuous rains for several days. As a result, prices have increased.
Except papaya, no vegetable is available in the market below Tk 60. Even for Tk 60 to Tk 70 only patol is available. Dhundal, chichinga, kachurmukhi are being sold at the rate of Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg. Barbati, kankrol, bitter gourd, brinjal were seen to be sold at Tk 100 to Tk 120.
Apart from this, Lalshak is being sold at Tk 20, Laushak Tk 40, Mulashak Tk 15, Spinach Tk 15 to Tk 20, Kalmishak Tk 10, Puishak Tk 40.
Moreover, early winter vegetable beans are sold in the market at Tk 220 to Tk 280 per kg and small cauliflower at Tk 60 to Tk 80 a piece.
Messenger/Disha
