Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 3rd July 2026, 5:21 PM
Shoppers in Dhaka’s kitchen markets are once again facing higher poultry prices, adding fresh pressure to household budgets already stretched by elevated food costs. While the prices of vegetables, eggs and beef have remained largely unchanged, increases in the cost of chicken and the continued high prices of many popular fish varieties mean consumers are finding little overall relief.
A visit to several major markets in the capital, including Malibagh, Shantinagar and Segunbagicha on Friday (3 July), together with discussions with traders and customers, revealed that broiler and Sonali chicken prices have climbed noticeably over the past week.
Broiler chicken is now selling for between Tk170 and Tk190 per kilogramme, compared with Tk160 to Tk170 a week earlier. Sonali chicken is currently priced between Tk320 and Tk340 per kilogramme, reflecting an increase of around Tk10 to Tk20 over the same period.
Fish prices also remain comparatively high across most categories. Rui is selling for Tk300 to Tk400 per kilogramme depending on size, while Katla ranges from Tk230 to Tk500. Vetki is priced between Tk400 and Tk550, Pabda between Tk350 and Tk400, Tengra from Tk500 to Tk700, and Taki between Tk250 and Tk350. Tilapia is available for Tk120 to Tk160 per kilogramme, Pangash for Tk200 to Tk220, Mrigal for Tk250 to Tk300, Baim between Tk600 and Tk800, Koi between Tk400 and Tk500, Shing at around Tk400, Poa at Tk260, and Shoal at approximately Tk700 per kilogramme.
| Commodity | Current Price |
|---|---|
| Broiler chicken | Tk170–190/kg |
| Sonali chicken | Tk320–340/kg |
| Rui | Tk300–400/kg |
| Katla | Tk230–500/kg |
| Vetki | Tk400–550/kg |
| Pabda | Tk350–400/kg |
| Tengra | Tk500–700/kg |
| Taki | Tk250–350/kg |
| Tilapia | Tk120–160/kg |
| Pangash | Tk200–220/kg |
| Mrigal | Tk250–300/kg |
| Baim | Tk600–800/kg |
| Koi | Tk400–500/kg |
| Shing | Tk400/kg |
| Poa | Tk260/kg |
| Shoal | Tk700/kg |
Vegetable prices, by contrast, have remained relatively stable, offering some welcome relief to consumers. Aubergines are selling for Tk70 to Tk80 per kilogramme, bitter gourd for Tk50, okra for Tk40, teasel gourd between Tk50 and Tk60, green papaya for Tk40, taro stems for Tk50, cucumbers for Tk60, ridge gourd for Tk50 and pointed gourd for Tk40 per kilogramme. Potatoes are available at Tk25 per kilogramme, while onions are selling for Tk40 to Tk45. Bottle gourds are priced at around Tk50 each.
Traders attribute the increase in poultry prices to reduced supplies at the wholesale level. According to poultry seller Md Russell at Malibagh market, wholesale prices have risen because the recent intense heat has caused significant poultry losses on many farms, reducing overall supply. He said retailers have little choice but to pass on the higher costs to customers and expect prices to ease only if wholesale rates decline.
Rice prices, meanwhile, have remained elevated following increases recorded two to three weeks ago. Although no fresh rise has been observed, consumers continue to pay the higher rates. Miniket rice is selling for Tk68 to Tk72 per kilogramme, Nazirshail for Tk75 to Tk85 depending on quality, and BR-28 medium-grade rice for Tk58 to Tk62 per kilogramme.
Retail rice traders say supplies from rice mills remain steady, but there is currently no indication of a price reduction. As a result, the higher wholesale prices continue to influence the retail market.
Despite concerns over poultry and rice, the stable vegetable market has provided some respite for households. Traders say abundant supplies of both summer and winter vegetables have helped keep prices within the purchasing power of many consumers, with most vegetables available for between Tk40 and Tk60 per kilogramme.
Anisur Rahman, a private-sector employee shopping at Segunbagicha market, welcomed the relatively affordable vegetable prices but expressed concern over the broader cost of living. He noted that rice prices rarely fall once they increase, while chicken prices have started climbing again. He also stressed that consistent market monitoring by the authorities is essential to protect consumers from excessive price increases.
Aside from poultry and rice, retailers said the prices of other essential grocery items, including edible oil, sugar and lentils, have remained broadly unchanged compared with recent weeks. Even so, many households continue to face pressure as persistently high prices across several staple foods limit the overall benefit of stable vegetable costs.
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