Abu Layes Lablu, Meherpur

The prices of most vegetables have increased in the Meherpur market due to a decrease in production due to the continuous rain and subsequent intense sun.

At the same time, the price of fish has also increased as the supply of fish is less than the demand.

This is making it difficult for low- and low-income people to shop. However, traders say that sales have also decreased due to the decrease in the presence of buyers in the market.

On Saturday morning, a visit to various markets in Meherpur city showed that the prices of most vegetables have increased compared to last week.

In the retail market, onion is being sold at 45-50 taka per kg, garlic at 90-100, cucumber at 40-45 taka, tomato at 115-120, green chilli at 90-100, brinjal at 120-130, ginger at 170-180, cucumber at 55-60, banana at 50, potato at 25, gourd at 30, papaya at 20, beetroot at 60, carrot at 135-140, onion at 45-50, red chilli at 40, potato at 50, okra at 50, sweet pumpkin at 60, jhing 50, bitter gourd at 70 and kankrol at 70 taka. In the wholesale market, onions are being sold at 38-40 taka per kg, garlic 70-80, cassava 30-35, tomatoes 100-105, green chillies 75-80, brinjal 110, ginger 150-155, cucumber 40, banana 40, potato 18-20, gourd 24, papaya 10-12, beetroot 45-50, carrot 115-120, ole 38-40, red cabbage 35, patal 40, khendra 35, sweet pumpkin 50, jhing 40, bitter gourd 55-60 and kankrol 55-60. Among rice, pulses and daily necessities, atash rice is being sold at 55 taka per kg, red rice 50, flour 45, lentil dal 110, kalai dal 180, pea dal 60, sula dal 110 and sugar at 115 taka per kg. In the fish market, per kg, Rs 350, silver 220, tilapia 240, pangas 200, glass cup big 400, medium hilsa 700, large katla 400, shrimp 800, jeul 350, koi 220 and bata 250 are being sold. The wholesale price of fish is also relatively high. Per kg, Rs 320, silver 190, tilapia 220, pangas 180, large glass cup 320-330, hilsa 680, katla 370, shrimp 750, jeul 300, koi 200 and bata are being sold at 230 taka. In the meat market, mutton is being sold at 1100 taka per kg, beef 750 and goat meat 900 taka. Among the chickens, boilers are being sold at 170-180, sonali at 260-280, layers at 340-350, desi chicken at 650, chinihans at 450, patihans at 350-400 and rajhans at 450-500 per kg. Vegetable buyer Palash Mia said, “I work as a mason. I have one day off work a week, so I come to the market that day. But I have to struggle to market with the money I earn. I spend a lot of money buying vegetables and fish.” Buyer Masum Mia said, “Except for potatoes, the prices of almost all vegetables are high. It costs more than 120 taka to buy a kilogram of brinjal. Many fish are more expensive than boiler chickens.” Fish buyer Habib Mia said, “I bought a kilogram of tilapia fish for 220 taka. The price of fish is increasing every week. It is becoming difficult for us low-income people to buy fish. Even if big fish cost 300-400 taka per kg, it is not within our means.”

Bitter gourd farmer Anisur Rahman said, “The continuous rains have reduced the production of vegetables. We used to have nothing with the cost of pesticides and labor. Now we are getting a little better price. This will help us cover the cost of production and run our family.”

However, the presence of buyers is very low. We are struggling to sell products worth Tk 2,000 throughout the day.”

Trader Mizanur Rahman said, “After the continuous rains, the production of many vegetables has decreased due to the heat of the sun.

This week, the prices of most vegetables have increased by Tk 20 to 30 compared to last week.” Fish trader Sunil Kumar Halder said, “There is less fish coming to the market compared to demand. It is becoming difficult for low-income people to buy fish.