Winter veggies relieve consumers; cumin, cardamom hit

Prices of cauliflower, new potatoes and green chillies have declined in Dhaka’s kitchen markets amid increased supplies of winter vegetables. However, prices of several spices, including cumin and cardamom, have risen, while chicken and egg prices have offered some relief.

Most fish, meanwhile, continue to sell at elevated prices.

Visits to New Market, Hatirpool and Lalbagh markets in Dhaka revealed the trends today (13 November).

Cauliflowers were selling at Tk40-50 apiece, down from Tk60-70 last week. The price of new potatoes dropped by Tk30 per kg to Tk120, while old potatoes were selling at Tk20-25 per kg.

Green chilli prices had also fallen by Tk40 per kg to Tk60-80. Tomatoes were selling at Tk120-130 per kg, while prices of most other vegetables remained largely unchanged.

Mintu Sheikh, a vegetable vendor at New Market, said winter vegetables started arriving from parts of the country, increasing supplies compared with last week.

“Prices of some vegetables have fallen as supplies have increased. Prices may decline further if arrivals continue to rise over the next few days,” he said.

In contrast, cumin and cardamom have become more expensive.

Cumin prices increased by Tk40-50 per kg over the past two weeks to Tk540-600. Cardamom, which was selling at Tk4,300-5,200 per kg 15-20 days ago, was priced at Tk4,600-5,500.

Clove prices also jumped by Tk50 per kg over the past one and a half months to Tk1,400-1,500.

Miraj, owner of Miraj Store in Lalbagh, said cumin and cardamom recorded the sharpest increases. He said higher wholesale prices pushed up retail rates, with wholesalers citing rising international spice prices and increased truck fares.

In the rice market, fine varieties were selling at Tk70-85 per kg, medium-quality rice at Tk55-64 and coarse rice at Tk50-55. Prices of fine and medium rice increased by Tk1-2 per kg over the past week, while coarse rice prices remained unchanged.

Chicken prices eased slightly. Broiler chicken, which had been selling at Tk190-200 per kg for several months, was available at Tk170-180. Layer chicken was selling at Tk230-240 per kg.

The price of a dozen brown farm eggs dropped by Tk10 to Tk150.

Fish prices, however, remained largely unchanged, with most varieties continuing to sell at relatively high rates. Rui was selling at Tk280-380 per kg, large telapia at Tk180-200, silver carp and grass carp at Tk180-200, and pangas at Tk160-250.

Catla was priced at Tk350-380 per kg, farmed koi at Tk200-220 and pabda at Tk380-420.