In Dhaka’s bustling markets, a surprising trend emerges as potato prices eclipse those of rice, with both new and old potato varieties commanding higher rates than coarse and medium-sized rice. Remarkably, in certain scenarios, the cost of potatoes even outstrips that of fine rice.
The winter season ushered in the new batch of potatoes, while remnants of old potatoes linger in the market. Yet, their prices remain elevated. Concurrently, other winter vegetables are also witnessing a spike in prices.
Insights from traders at Malibagh, Mogbazar, and Rampura markets reveal that potatoes are now priced between Tk 70 to Tk 80 per kg, marking a Tk 10 increase within a mere week. Traditionally, by mid-December, new potatoes flood the market, causing prices to dip. However, this year, the trend seems to have deviated.
Data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) indicates coarse rice priced at Tk 48-50 per kg, medium-sized rice at Tk 50-55 per kg, and fine rice ranging between Tk 60-75 per kg. Intriguingly, potatoes have surpassed the prices of all rice categories, even occasionally overshadowing specific fine rice variants that can reach up to Tk 95 per kg.
Comparing year-on-year data from TCB, while rice prices remain relatively stable, potato rates have surged by a staggering 229%, varying between Tk 22 and Tk 16.
Mostafa Azad Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Cold Storage Association, commented, “Typically, by early December, old potato stocks deplete, making way for fresh arrivals and subsequent price drops. However, this year’s early potato yield decline has sustained elevated prices.”
Beyond potatoes, onion prices are soaring, with local variants fetching Tk 100-120 per kg and older varieties commanding Tk 150-160 per kg. Despite a brief respite in early winter, vegetable prices began escalating from mid-December.
Market observations reveal eggplant prices hovering between Tk 70-90 per kg, beans at Tk 70-80, tomatoes between Tk 80-100, cauliflowers and cabbages priced at Tk 50-60 each, gourd between Tk 80-100, and bitter gourd at Tk 90-100 per kg. Regrettably, only select vegetables remain below the Tk 50 per kg mark.
Furthermore, staple commodities like flour, lentils, and oil maintain elevated price points, a trend mirrored in the fish and meat sectors. Notably, broiler chicken prices range between Tk 180-200 per kg, sonali chicken between Tk 310-330, beef at Tk 650-700, cotton fish between Tk 300-400, and pangash fish priced at Tk 200-230.
Expressing concern, Rampura resident Anas Uddin remarked to Prothom Alo, “While fish and meat prices were already steep, the winter vegetable price surge remains perplexing.”
