Dhaka: City kitchen markets saw further price rises in the just-past week as last two days of rain disrupted supply of vegetables from different parts of the country.

Traders at Kaptan Bazar, Shanir Akhra and Karwanbazar Friday also said prices of certain essentials, including sugar, powdered milk, pulses, onions, potatoes, garlic, ginger, green and dry chilies, were yet to come down substantially this past week.

Almost all vegetables cost dearer by Tk 2 to Tk 5 per kg in just one week.  Potato sold at Tk 13/14 per kg, eggplant Tk 35 to Tk 30, barbati and bitter gourd Tk 20 per kg each, okra at Tk 20 and tomato at Tk 30-35.

But the price of green chili decreased by Tk 8 to Tk 40.  

Nasrin Akhtar, a garment worker, at Shanir Akhra bazar told banglanews24.com.bd that she is leading a miserable life as it is next to impossible to run her family keeping pace with the increased price of essentials.

“The government really failed to address the problem,” said the working woman, out of her dispassionate practical experience.   

Of rice variety, Najir Shail was selling at Tk 20, Miniket Tk 35-40, Lota 33-35 while coarse rice at Tk 27/28.

Onion prices ranged between Tk 15 and Tk 20 at Kaptan bazar. Consumers were seen buying local garlic at Tk 100 and imported one at Tk 125. The price of lentil was as high as Tk 100 to Tk 115.

The price of loose edible oil was unchanged—at Tk 80 per kg--while palm variety at Tk 68-72.

The price of sugar was now at Tk 38 a kg, down by Tk 2 a kg, however.

The prices of fish and meat at the city kitchen markets didn’t show any signs of downturn.

BST 1637 HRS, May 21, 2010
MSI/Kl/AHS/SMS/MUA/