In Ishwardi upazila of Pabna, the prices of daily commodities are increasing day by day. The prices of vegetables and other items are now beyond the reach of the poor.
At the same time, the prices of boilers, Sonali chickens and eggs have gone up. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the income of the people has decreased on top of that the high prices of daily commodities common people are now at their wit’s end.
In ‘Ishwardi vegetable market’, the largest vegetable market in the upazila, winter vegetables have already started to arrive in advance. Among the early winter vegetables, beans are being sold at Tk 120 to 130 per kg, bitter gourd at Tk 60, cauliflower at Tk 70, radish at Tk 50 and gourd is being sold at Tk 30 to 35 per piece.
Meanwhile, people are buying one kg of green chilli at Tk 200, and onion at Tk 60 whereas, a week ago, green chilli was being sold at Tk 60 and onions at Tk 40 per kg.
Besides, eggplant is being sold at Tk 60 per kg; pointed gourd at Tk 30, aurum at Tk 25 to 30, a wax gourd at Tk 30, papaya at Tk 30 and a bunch of red spinach is being at Tk 12 to 15.
Regarding the high price, sellers are saying that it is too early for the winter vegetables to arrive in abundance to the local markets. The few that are arriving in the markets are being bought by consumers very quickly.
“That is why the price of vegetables is higher now. If winter vegetables start arriving in the market, the price will go down immediately”, they added.
Idris Ali, a resident of Fateh Mohammadpur, who came to the market on Wednesday said, “Some winter vegetables were coming to the market but they are still out of the reach of common people. The price of the early winter vegetables is too much. That's why I could only buy a few vegetables.”
Meanwhile, the prices of golden and broiler chickens have gone up abnormally. Vendors were seen selling broiler chickens at Tk 180 per kg in Ishwardi Bazaar on Wednesday. However, a week ago, broiler chickens were sold at 120 to 130. Within, one week Tk 50 increased on per kg of chiken.
The price of Sonali chicken has also increased by Tk 60 per kg whereas; it was being sold at Tk 220 per kg a week ago. Now it is being sold at Tk 280 to 290.
The price of eggs has recently increased Tk 12 to 15 per dozen in the meantime. At present a dozen of egg is being sold at Tk 108 to 114. This price was Tk Tk 96 only a week ago.