Prices of several essential commodities remain high in markets across the capital, leaving consumers under pressure. Fish, meat, chicken, eggs and edible oil are particularly expensive. At the same time, the supply shortage of bottled soybean oil has persisted despite a recent price hike. As a result, consumers are facing not only higher prices but also difficulties in finding the products they need.

A visit to markets in Mugda, Maniknagar, Kamalapur, Khilgaon and Basabo on Saturday found farm chicken eggs selling for Tk 150 per dozen. Egg prices have not returned to their previous levels since rising at the beginning of August. Previously, a dozen eggs sold for Tk 130 to Tk 140.

Broiler chicken is currently selling for Tk 190 to Tk 200 per kilogram, compared with Tk 170 to Tk 180 previously. The price of Sonali chicken has also increased. It is now being sold for Tk 340 to Tk 360 per kilogram, around Tk 30 higher than last week. Previously, the price ranged between Tk 300 and Tk 330 per kilogram.

Traders said floods, excessive rainfall and extreme heat over the past several months caused the deaths of chickens at many farms. Many farmers subsequently did not resume production. Recent load-shedding also disrupted production. As a result, chicken supplies have declined, pushing up prices. The reduction in the number of chickens has also affected egg production.

M Safir Rahman, secretary general of the Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association (BPIA), said prices of chicken and eggs largely depend on supply and demand. He said a large number of layer farmers across the country were severely affected by the recent devastating floods. Many farmers lost chickens and eggs in the floods, creating a sudden shortage in market supply and driving prices higher.

There is little relief in the fish market either. Prices of most fish, including rui, katla, pabda, tilapia and pangas, have increased by around Tk 20 to Tk 30 per kilogram compared with last week. Farmed pangas is selling for Tk 250 to Tk 300 per kilogram depending on size, while tilapia is priced at Tk 250 to Tk 280. Rui weighing between 2.5 and 3 kilograms is selling for Tk 400 per kilogram, while katla is Tk 420.

The meat market is also offering little relief to consumers. Beef is selling for Tk 800 to Tk 850 per kilogram in the capital, while mutton costs Tk 1,200 to Tk 1,300 per kilogram. As a result, buying fish and meat regularly has become increasingly difficult for low- and middle-income households.

Meanwhile, the edible oil market is facing both higher prices and supply shortages. On September 2, companies raised the price of bottled soybean oil by Tk 5 per litre. As a result, consumers now have to pay Tk 204 for a one-litre bottle, up from Tk 199.

Despite the price increase, however, many retail shops in the capital do not have adequate supplies of bottled soybean oil. Traders said they often have to wait several days after placing orders before receiving supplies according to demand.

Rafiqul Islam, a grocery shopkeeper at Pukurpar in Maniknagar, said his shop was currently out of bottled soybean oil despite placing orders with suppliers. He said companies were not providing oil according to demand. As a result, many customers come to buy bottled oil but have to return empty-handed. Some are being forced to buy loose oil instead.

Overall, although prices of some commodities remain relatively stable, higher prices of fish, chicken, eggs and edible oil are putting additional pressure on household budgets. Many consumers are reducing the quantities of essential food items they buy. Low-income families, in particular, are cutting back on fish, meat and eggs to cope with the rising cost of living.