BSS Collage Photo

DHAKA, March 25, 2025 (BSS) – Prices of essential commodities, particularly the kitchen and grocery items, in the capital’s markets are on downward trend, bringing much-needed comfort to low-and middle-income families.

Visiting several key kitchen markets, including Karwan Bazar, Khilgaon Taltola Market, Rampura Bazar, Motijheel AGB Colony Kacha Bazar, Khilgaon Bowbazar and Shantinagar Bazar here today's morning, BSS found that buyers are generally able to buy what they need as per to their purchasing capacity.

Talking to BSS, Md Karim, resident of Khilgaon who went to buy essentials for Eid, thanked the government, saying the prices of most essentials are satisfactory as supply is abundant. 

"I always shop at Khilgaon Bowbazar near my house. Everyone has relieved that the prices of essentials in this time are low compared to the past few years,” he added.

 Due to strict market supervision and monitoring by the government's several agencies and different measures, most of the essentials including sugar, date, onion, cucumber, potato, tomato, egg, garlic, green and dry chillies, ginger, and vermicelli are available at cheaper prices compared to Ramadan in 2024.

 Lauding the government’s several measures, Samsul Huda, a resident of the Motijheel AGB Colony, said the prices of the most grocery items are reasonable as supply is abundant.
"This year, low prices of vegetables in this Ramadan have brought relief to consumers of all income groups. The prices of fish, meat and chicken are stable," he added.

During the visit to the city's several markets, it was found that farm chicken is being sold at Tk 180-190 per kg, Sonali at Tk 280-290 per kg and local chicken at Tk 550-580 per kg, respectively-Tk 10-30 per kg lower than last year.

Mutton (Khasi) is being sold at around TK 1100 per kg and beef at Tk 750-850 per kg. The prices are also Tk 30-50 lower than the previous year.

Local rui fish (1.5 to 2 kg live) is being sold at Tk 300-450 while imported rui (2 to 3 kg) at Tk 300-350.

Rafiq Miah, a fish trader at Kawran Bazar, said that the supply of fish in the market is normal. However, the demand for fish has increased with the arrival of Ramadan, he added.
 
 On the other hand, sugar is being sold at Tk 115-120 per kg, down from Tk 140-150 last year. 

The price of normal dates has fallen to Tk 180-200 per kg from Tk220-250, while mid-range and premium quality dates are being sold at Tk 450-800 and Tk 1,000-1,800, respectively-Tk 30-200 per kg lower than last year.

Local onion is available at Tk 35-40 per kg, significantly lower than last year's Tk 100-120.

 Potato is being sold at Tk 20-25 per kg, compared to Tk 25-35 last year.

Additionally, winter vegetable prices have decreased by Tk 5-20 per kg compared to last Ramadan.

Manik, a chicken seller in Motijheel AGB Colony Kancha Bazar, said, the price is lower than the previous year due to the government's monitoring activities.