Soaring Vegetable Prices Squeeze Dhaka Households

The sharp rise in the prices of vegetables and other essential food items in Dhaka’s retail markets is placing mounting pressure on low- and middle-income households, forcing many families to cut back on their weekly grocery purchases. Shoppers say the continued increase in food costs is making it increasingly difficult to balance household budgets, with fresh vegetables and green chillies now among the most expensive everyday essentials.

A visit to Mohammadpur Town Hall Market in the capital on Friday (31 July) revealed that, apart from papaya and sweet pumpkin, most vegetables were selling at around Tk100 per kilogram. Green chillies, one of the most commonly used ingredients in Bangladeshi cooking, had climbed to Tk400 per kilogram, marking one of the steepest price increases among fresh produce.

Rice prices, however, presented a mixed picture. While the cost of ordinary rice remained largely unchanged, premium polao rice was selling for approximately Tk200 per kilogram, adding further strain to consumers already coping with higher food expenses.

Private-sector employee Sohel, who was shopping for his family’s weekly groceries, said the current market prices no longer allow him to purchase everything on his list. He explained that he now has to leave out several essential items in order to stay within his budget. According to him, the prices of vegetables and green chillies have moved beyond the reach of many ordinary consumers.

Many other shoppers expressed similar concerns. They said household expenses have risen steadily over the past several weeks as the prices of daily necessities have remained high. Families that previously managed their weekly shopping comfortably are now being forced to prioritise only the most essential items, often reducing the quantity and variety of food they purchase.

Traders at the market attributed the sustained high prices to supply conditions, saying that unless the flow of produce improves, the prices of essential commodities are likely to remain elevated in the coming days. Although no immediate indication of a price correction has emerged, they believe a more stable supply could eventually help ease pressure on the retail market.

The persistent rise in food prices is having the greatest impact on households with fixed or limited incomes. As spending on essential groceries continues to increase, many families are adjusting their consumption patterns in an effort to manage rising living costs. For low- and middle-income consumers, the weekly visit to the market has become a careful exercise in compromise, with affordability increasingly determining what ends up on the dining table.