Business Desk

The prices of potatoes and onions continue to soar at kitchen markets amid a dwindling stock of the locally grown varieties of the two most essential items.

However, the supply of winter vegetables is increasing with the arrival of early winter vegetables, bringing some relief to the consumers.

Besides, the price of eggs has finally dropped at the retail level after a month amid different initiatives, including import and direct sales from the producers to wholesale markets and retailers.

Over the past week, vegetable prices have remained stable, with most items selling at last week's rates.

Visiting different kitchen markets at Mirpur 6, 13 and Shewrapara on Friday, it was seen that the prices of onions, potatoes and Sonali chicken have increased further.

In comparison to last week, the price of local onions has risen by Tk30 per kg to Tk160-Tk170 while lower quality local onions were selling at Tk150 per kg.

The price of Indian onions increased to Tk120 per kg from Tk110-Tk115 in a week.

The local variety retailed at Tk110-Tk120 per kg and imported one at Tk100 per kg two weeks ago.

Haji Abdul Majed, an onion importer and wholesaler at Shyambazar Agricultural Products Wholesale Market, told the Daily Sun that the supply of fine quality local onion is rare in the market.

"The supply of other medium quality local onions declined at the local level amid a lower stock at the farmers' level," he said.

The supply of local onions will be increased soon after the 'Murikata' onion appears in the market, the trader said.

Newly harvested potatoes were selling at Tk120 per kg while the price of old potatoes increased by Tk5 per kg in a week to Tk70.

The price of broiler chicken remained at previous high Tk190-Tk200 per kg while the Sonali chicken price increased by Tk20 in a week to Tk340 and local chicken was selling at Tk540 per kg.

Beef was retailing at Tk750-Tk800 per kg and mutton at Tk1,150-Tk1,200 per kg.

However, the price of farm eggs declined to Tk155 per dozen from last week's Tk160.

At the same time, the green chilli price dropped by Tk80 per kg to Tk120-Tk160.

Most of the vegetables were selling at the same prices as last week. Bean was retailing at Tk160 per kg, registering a Tk60 decrease, brinjal at Tk60-Tk80 per kg (down by Tk20), bitter gourd at Tk70-Tk80 per kg and spiny gourd at Tk100 per kg.

Pointed gourd was selling at Tk50-Tk60 per kg, okra at Tk80 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk100 per kg, bottle gourd at Tk40-Tk60 per piece, papaya at Tk30-Tk40 per kg, snake gourd at Tk80, sponge gourd at Tk70 per kg, ridge gourd at Tk100 per kg, taro stalk at Tk80-Tk100 per kg and cucumber at Tk60-Tk80 per kg.

Cauliflower was selling at Tk40-Tk60 per piece, cabbage at Tk60 per piece, ripe tomato at Tk160-Tk180 per kg, carrot at Tk160 per kg and radish at Tk60 per kg.