Visiting several kitchen markets in the city on Saturday, including those in Shegun Bagicha and Rampura, broiler chicken prices were found to have increased by Tk20-40 a kilogram

Prices of broiler chicken and vegetables went up in the capital's kitchen markets, which the traders attributed to scarcity in supply.

Visiting several kitchen markets in the city on Saturday, including those in Shegun Bagicha and Rampura, broiler chicken prices were found to have increased by Tk20-40 a kilogram, selling for Tk150-170 per kg.

Two weeks ago, it sold for Tk130 a kg.

Prices of locally bred hens also increased by Tk50 a kg, selling for Tk550-600 a kg, which was around Tk500 a kg last week.

Al Amin Miah, a trader in Shegun Bagicha kitchen market, said prices increased because of recent flash floods which caused disruption in the supply chain and distribution, leading to a shortage in supply.

Meanwhile, prices of green chilli doubled over the week.

The item was selling for Tk110-130 a kg which was Tk55-70 a kg earlier.

Prices of several vegetables increased over the week by Tk5-10 per kg.

Aubergines was being sold for Tk60-75 a kg, tomatoes for Tk45-70 a kg, papayas for Tk50 a kg, bitter gourds for Tk80-90 a kg, cucumbers for Tk40-60 a kg, and potatoes for Tk28-30 a kg. Their prices were lower by TK5-10 a week ago.

Rice prices also remained high, increasing by Tk2-5 per kg over the week.

The coarse variety of BR-28 rice was selling for Tk40-45 a kg and fine grain BR-28 rice for Tk50-54 a kg.

Fine varieties of Miniket and Najirshail rice sold for Tk55-65 a kg.

Imported garlic was selling for Tk 95-110 a kg while the local variety was retailing for Tk 100-115 a kg. Imported ginger was selling for Tk 150-160 a kg and the local variety was selling for Tk 130-150 a kg.

The fine variety of red lentil was selling for Tk 125-135, a kg and coarse variety was selling for Tk 75-85 a kg.

Eggs were sold for Tk 100-110 a dozen.

Onion prices, however, decreased by Tk10 a kg. Its local variety was selling for Tk45-50 a kg while imported onions were selling for Tk20-35 a kg.

Rahmat Ullah from Shegun Bagicha said: “Although traders blamed the price hike on supply shortage, I think they increased them because it gave them an excuse to do so.

“We all saw traders increase the prices of essential healthcare items, so why should kitchen market traders lag behind? There is no one to say anything,” he added.Report;Dhaka Tribune