Online Desk  :   The price of rice has continued to rise since Eid-ul-Azha, with vegetable prices also surging over the past week. This has forced consumers to buy daily essentials at elevated costs. Meanwhile, prices of chicken and eggs have declined slightly, offering some relief to buyers but causing losses for poultry farmers. A visit to kitchen markets in Malibagh, Shantinagar, and Segunbagicha on Friday (4 July) reflected this market scenario. Retailers reported that rice prices have gone up even in remote wholesale hubs. Rice mill owners raised prices after Eid as business activity resumed, leading to the current hike. Since Eid, the price of each sack of rice has increased by up to Tk 400.

As a result, rice is now retailing at Tk 2 to Tk 8 more per kg, depending on the variety. Coarse rice such as BR-28 and Parija is selling for Tk 58–65 per kg. Among finer varieties, Zirashail is priced at Tk 74–80, Miniket at Tk 76–84, and Kataribhog at Tk 70–76 per kg. Abul Hossain, a rice seller at “Allah’r Dan Store” in Malibagh, said, “Except for Nazirshail, the prices of Paijam, BR-28, and Miniket have risen by up to Tk 8 per kg. I used to buy Miniket at Tk 68 per kg in wholesale; yesterday, I had to buy it at Tk 76.”

In smaller kitchen markets and local stores, prices tend to be slightly higher. Zubayer Ali, a rice trader at Rampura Bazar, noted, “Since Eid, every sack of rice has cost me Tk 200 to Tk 300 more. Prices are rising across all major hubs—Dinajpur, Naogaon, and Kushtia.” In contrast, chicken prices have been on a steady decline since Eid. Broiler chicken is currently selling for Tk 150–160 per kg, while Sonali chicken is retailing at Tk 300–320 per kg. Egg prices have also fallen, with a dozen selling for Tk 120, and even Tk 115 in larger markets. However, retailers say this drop is hurting producers. “Farmers only make a profit when eggs sell for at least Tk 140 per dozen,” said retailer Bipul Hossain. “At current prices, they’re incurring losses.”

Meanwhile, prices of most grocery items—including oil, sugar, lentils, flour, and semolina—have remained stable. Essentials such as onions, potatoes, ginger, and garlic are even selling at slightly reduced prices. However, vegetable prices have surged. Takdir Hossain, a vegetable vendor in Segunbagicha, said prices for most vegetables have risen by Tk 10–20 per kg over the past week. Market visits revealed that yardlong beans, spiny gourd, and bitter gourd are selling for Tk 80–100 per kg. Papaya, pointed gourd, and okra are priced at Tk 50–60, while ridge gourd and sponge gourd are retailing at Tk 60–80 per kg. Prices are somewhat lower in wholesale markets and among mobile vendors.