The prices of hilsa and other fish, chicken and egg increased in the retail markets in the capital Dhaka over the week ending Friday as demand for hilsa fish rose on the eve of Pahela Baishakh. The Bengali New Year’s Day will be celebrated on April 14 amid great festivity in the country.

In the capital’s kitchen market, including Karwan Bazar, vendors said on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, buyers have already started buying hilsa, generating increased demand for the fish in the market. Hence, with increasing demand, the vendors have been forced to raise the prices of hilsa per kg.

The price of hilsa weighing between 400 and 500 grams is between Tk. 550 and Tk. 600. Traders said hilsa that weighs around 800 to 900 grams was being sold for Tk. 1,300 to Tk. 1,800. The price of a hilsa weighing 1 kg costs around Tk. 2,000 to Tk. 2,500.  A medium-sized hilsa was being sold for Tk. 550–Tk. 900 last week.

Buyers claimed that in order to book some extra profits every year, traders store hilsa on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh and hike the price of the fish. As a result, an artificial shortage of hilsa is created in the market, and the price also increases.

Meanwhile, hilsa fish from Myanmar—which is relatively cheaper than the local variety—is also flooding the market.

The prices of most other varieties of fish also recorded increases compared to

Tk. 60–Tk 150 a kg last

week. Indigenous rui sold at Tk. 550 to Tk. 800 a kg, depending on the size of the particular fish. Prices of dry fish also saw a hike by Tk. 80 to Tk. 120 a kg.

According to the department of fisheries, the country requires 0.4 million tonnes of the national fish (hilsa) annually, of which 20 per cent are bought and sold in April alone, when the Pahela Baishakh festival is celebrated.

In the capital’s kitchen markets, cucumbers are being sold at Tk. 20 apiece. Carrots are being sold at Tk. 25 apiece. The price of a small-sized pumpkin is Tk. 25–30. Cauliflowers are selling at Tk. 20–25 per piece. Cabbages are available for Tk. 20–25. Beans are being sold for Tk. 30–40 per kg, as in the previous week. Tomatoes cost Tk. 20–30 a kg.

As in last week, turnips are being sold for Tk. 20–25. Eggplant prices vary between Tk. 25 and Tk. 30. Raw papaya is being sold at Tk. 25–30 per kg.

The prices of some vegetables, including drumstick, cucumber and ash gourd, increased by Tk. 5 to Tk. 10 a kg/piece last week. Drumstick is being sold at Tk. 50–60. Pointed gourd costs Tk. 40–50 per kg. Ladies’ finger is being sold at the same price.

The prices of summer vegetables and some spices also increased compared to last week. Prices of eggs have gone up sharply in the kitchen markets. The item was selling at Tk. 30–32 a ‘hali’. A dozen eggs are now sold at Tk. 85 to Tk. 90 against the rate of Tk. 65 to Tk. 75 just a couple of weeks ago.

Poultry chicken prices increased further last week. Chicken (broiler) was sold at Tk. 145 to Tk. 150 and Tk. 170 (layer) a kg on Friday.

In the retail market, onions were being sold for Tk. 27–28 per kg and imported, mostly Indian, onions for Tk. 30 a kg.

The price of green chilies is now Tk. 20–25 per kg. It was Tk. 60 a couple of weeks ago.