Kitchen market: Prices of chicken, eggs, vegetables shoot up

Prices of chicken, eggs, and vegetables went up in the city’s kitchen markets in a span of a week.

The prices of Pakistani cock or golden chicken was increased by Tk 20 per kg and broiler chicken by Tk 10 per kg. A dozen of eggs rose in price by Tk 10 and the prices of different vegetables shot up by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kg.

Visiting several retail markets including Kawran Bazar, Jigatla and Hatirpul kitchen Bazaar in the capital on Friday, traders were found selling broiler chickens at Tk 150 to Tk 155 per kg, which was Tk 140 to Tk 145 last week.

Besides, Pakistani cock is being sold at Tk 280 to Tk 300 per kg, which was Tk 270-280 last week. Two weeks ago, it was Tk 220 to Tk 230.

“The production of chicken in farms has decreased. On the other hand, its demand increased in the market, which is why the price went up,” said Al Amin, a trader in Kawran Bazar.

He also hinted that the price might go up further.

“The price of chicken is now higher in the wholesale market. In the last few days, the wholesale price of golden chicken increased by Tk 100 per kg. As a result, the chicken that we sold a few days ago at Tk 220 per kg now sells at Tk 300 per kg,” said another retailer Ashraful Alam at Jigatla Kitchen Market.

“The prices of golden chicken were relatively low for long days. As a result, our sales were good. But due to the lower prices, farms have reduced chicken production, which is why we think that the price of chicken will go up’ he added.

Meanwhile, the price of eggs has gone up with chicken. A dozen of the broiler chicken eggs are now selling at Tk 110-120, up by Tk 105 to Tk 110 from last week.

Last week a piece of eggs was selling at Tk 9, now it is Tk 10.

Regarding the prices of eggs, Zafar Ahmed, a trader in Kawran Bazar, said that big companies like Pran are buying huge quantities of eggs at higher prices.

On the other hand, the demand for eggs in the market is also high and supply is lower for the last few days.

The vegetable market also saw an increase of Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kg on an average from last week. Bean is being sold at Tk 60-70 per kg, Karla at Tk 60-70, snake gourd (chichinga) at Tk 50-60, parwal (patol) at Tk 50-60, Okra at Tk 60-70 and Barbati at Tk 80-90 per kg.

Traders said that many vegetables in fields were damaged due to rains.

However, the supply of vegetables in markets is increasing. Hopefully, in a few days the price will go down a bit, they added.

Meanwhile, rice, lentils, oil, potatoes, onions and sugar are being sold at last week's prices. In the retail market, Pajam is being sold at Tk 50 per kg, Atash at Tk 55 and Miniket at Tk 75. Domestic small grain lentils are being sold at 110 rupees. And the big lentils of India are being sold at 90 rupees.

Soybean oil is being sold at Tk 149 per litre. Five litres of soybean oil is being sold at Tk 680 to Tk 700 depending on the company. Open soybean or palm oil is being sold at Tk 145.

Potatoes are being sold at Tk 20 per kg and onions at Tk 45 per kg. Besides, sugar is being sold at Tk 78 per kg, packaged sugar at Tk 80 and red sugar at Tk 90 to Tk 95.