Essentials’ prices up in Khulna kitchen markets

The spiralling prices of almost all essentials in the kitchen markets in Khulna have put the customers in distress, thanks to the authorities’ poor monitoring.

Although the supply of bean, cauliflower, cabbage, radish, brinjal, point gourd, ladies finger and bitter gourd are sufficient in the market, the price is quite high as before, said customers.

However, the traders claimed that the price of vegetables was high for the last few months, but they have been selling at a lower price for weeks.

They also said the early variety winter vegetables are selling at a bit higher prices.

During a recent visit to the different kitchen markets in Khulna city, the correspondent found that per kg bean is being sold at Tk 160-200 while a piece of cauliflower is being sold at Tk 50 which was Tk 60 last week.

Besides, a piece of cabbage is being sold at Tk 60 while radish is being sold at Tk 30-40 per kg which was sold at Tk 50-60 last week.

One kg tomato is being sold at Tk 120-140 while carrot Tk 160 per kg and the bitter gourd, snake bean is being sold at Tk 70-80 per kg and eggplant is being sold at Tk 60-70 per kg.

Meanwhile, a piece of bottle gourd is being sold at Tk 70-80, taro roots at Tk 50-60, teasle gourd at Tk 70, taro stolon at Tk 70-80, cucumber at Tk 40-50 per piece and green chili at Tk 200 per kg.

Per kg onion is being sold at Tk 120, ginger at Tk 280, garlic at Tk 220, potato at Tk 60 in the local market while per kg beef is being sold at Tk 650 and mutton at Tk 1000.

Quamrul Ahsan, a customer, said except for two vegetables, the prices of all vegetables are above Tk 50-60.

“How can there be relief when vegetables are so expensive? We expected the new government would regulate the market properly. But nothing is happening so far. The market is still under the grip of syndicates,” he said.

He also said that the low-income people are suffering a lot due to the soaring price of daily essentials.

Rafique, a trader at Sandhya Bazar, said, “The prices of vegetables are comparatively low in the market. But the winter vegetables are a little more expensive. In yesterday’s market, I was selling beans at Tk 200 per kg. There were no beans last week. Off-season vegetables of 2/4 items, including beans, are being sold slightly at higher prices.”