The past week witnessed a significant surge in prices for nearly all essential commodities at kitchen markets in the capital city of Dhaka.

Consumers expressed frustration over the steep increase and criticized the government for inadequate market monitoring.

Data from the Department of Agricultural Marketing revealed that prices for almost all agricultural commodities were higher than their usual rates in city markets.

Vegetable prices particularly skyrocketed during the week: eggplant ranged from Tk 70-100 per kilogram, papaya from Tk 90–100 per kilogram, bitter gourd from Tk 70-80 per kilogram, cucumber from Tk 50–60 per kilogram, carrot from Tk 60–70 per kilogram, and gourd from Tk 60–70 per kilogram on Friday.

Green chili prices nearly doubled, reaching Tk 120-140 per kilogram in the city.

Mohammad Joni, a local business owner, lamented the unacceptable price surge, citing that some vegetables, like eggplant and papaya, were priced as low as Tk 20-25 per kilogram at the farm level but soared to nearly Tk 100 per kilogram in Dhaka.

Joni attributed the issue to ineffective market monitoring policies.

Egg prices rose by Tk 4-6 per hali (four pieces) over the past week, selling for Tk 50-52 per hali on Friday.

Sumon Hawlader, president of the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association, alleged that wholesale businesses in Tejgaon were manipulating egg prices.

He claimed that after a recent nationwide price drop, wholesalers stockpiled eggs in cold storage facilities and subsequently increased prices via SMS alerts.

Potato prices also climbed in Dhaka, reaching Tk 55-60 per kilogram on Friday. The cost of local onions surged to Tk 70-80 per kilogram, while imported onions sold for Tk 80-90 per kilogram.

Beef prices remained high at Tk 760-780 per kilogram, with mutton selling for Tk 1,000–1,100 per kilogram on Friday.

Ginger prices remained elevated, with imported ginger selling for Tk 220-280 per kilogram and local varieties fetching Tk 400-450 per kilogram.

Garlic prices also rose by Tk 20-50 per kilogram over the week, with imported garlic selling for Tk 220–250 per kilogram and local varieties priced at Tk 200–220 per kilogram on Friday.