Vegetable prices have started to ease after remaining unusually high for the past two to three weeks, offering some relief to consumers.

However, higher prices of eggs, fish and several essential food items continue to keep the overall cost of everyday meals elevated, particularly for low and lower-middle-income households.

A visit to the Jatrabari and Shantinagar kitchen markets on Friday found that most vegetables were selling at Tk 60 to Tk 80 a kilogram, compared with prices of Tk 100 to Tk 120 just a few weeks ago. Overall, vegetable prices have fallen by around Tk 20 to Tk 30 a kilogram over the past week.

On the day, eggs were retailing at Tk 150 to Tk 155 a dozen.

Green chilli was selling for Tk 150 to Tk 200 a kilogram, while bitter gourd for Tk 70 to Tk 100, yardlong beans Tk 80 to Tk 100, okra Tk 50 to Tk 70 and taro stem Tk 60 to Tk 80. Aubergine was priced at Tk 80 to Tk 120, cucumber Tk 70 to Tk 100 and tomatoes Tk 110 to Tk 140 a kilogram.

Pangas was selling at Tk 220 to Tk 240 a kilogram, while tilapia was priced at Tk 240 to Tk 280 and farmed Koi at Tk 300 to Tk 350.

Apart from this, shrimp was retailing at Tk 850 to Tk 1,000 a kilogram, depending on size and quality. Pabda was priced at Tk 350 to Tk 400, large Ruhi at Tk 450 to Tk 500, Tangra at around Tk 700 and Mrigel at Tk 250 to Tk 300 a kilogram. Farmed Shol was available at Tk 350 to Tk 450 a kilogram, depending on size.

Traders said that vegetable prices had declined as supplies improved after continuous rainfall and supply disruptions pushed prices sharply higher in recent weeks.

However, consumers said that the decline in vegetable prices had done little to reduce their overall food expenses because prices of other essentials remained high.

Nahian, a private-sector employee, told New Age that the overall cost of living had not fallen despite cheaper vegetables.

‘When vegetable prices come down, the prices of eggs and fish go up. If the price of one item falls, the prices of two others increase. So, overall household expenses have not decreased,’ he said.

Broiler chicken prices have dropped by Tk 10 to Tk 20 a kilogram and are now selling at Tk 180 to Tk 190, compared with Tk 200 to Tk 220 previously.

Beef continued to sell at around Tk 800 a kilogram. Sonali chicken was priced at Tk 320 to Tk 340, hybrid chicken at Tk 290 to Tk 300 and layer chicken at around Tk 350 a kilogram.

Meanwhile, rice and other essentials continued to add pressure to household budgets.

On Friday, Miniket rice was selling at Tk 72 to Tk 85 a kilogram, while Paijam or Atash rice cost Tk 55 to Tk 68.

Local garlic was selling at Tk 140 to Tk 60 a kilogram and imported garlic at Tk 180 to Tk 200.

Packaged soya bean oil was selling at Tk 199 a litre, while unpackaged soya bean oil cost Tk 180 to Tk 185 and palm oil Tk 165 to Tk 170 a litre.

Fine red lentils were priced at Tk 160 a kilogram, medium varieties at Tk 120 and coarse lentils at Tk 105 a kilogram.

Unpackaged atta was selling at Tk 45-50 a kilogram, packaged atta at Tk 60-70 depending on the brand, unpackaged flour at Tk 60 and packaged flour at Tk 75 a kilogram.