Consumers in Dhaka continue to face high prices for essential protein sources, with fish, meat, and eggs showing little sign of relief. Despite a slight easing in vegetable costs, the cost of various fish and meat items remains steep, putting additional strain on household budgets.
Market visits on Friday to areas such as ECB Chattar, Mirpur, and Manikdi revealed that prices for popular fish species remain elevated. Tilapia ranges between BDT 220–250 per kilogram depending on size, while pabda costs BDT 300–350. Medium-sized rohu is priced at BDT 320–350, koi at BDT 250–280, farmed shing at BDT 400–450, and large prawns fetch BDT 800–1,000. Pangas is sold at BDT 170–200, shol at BDT 800, and tangra between BDT 500–650 per kilogram.
Meat and poultry prices are also high. Broiler chicken is priced at BDT 160–170 per kilogram, Sonali chicken between BDT 250–280, layer chicken at BDT 300, and deshi (local) chicken at BDT 600–650. Beef is available at BDT 750 per kilogram in markets, slightly cheaper at BDT 699 in supermarkets, while mutton reaches BDT 1,100.
| Item | Price Range (BDT/kg) | Supermarket Price (BDT/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Tilapia | 220–250 | 190 (smaller pieces) |
| Pabda | 300–350 | — |
| Rohu (medium) | 320–350 | — |
| Koi | 250–280 | — |
| Farmed Shing | 400–450 | — |
| Large Prawns | 800–1,000 | — |
| Pangas | 170–200 | 160 |
| Shol | 800 | — |
| Tangra | 500–650 | — |
| Broiler Chicken | 160–170 | — |
| Sonali Chicken | 250–280 | — |
| Layer Chicken | 300 | — |
| Deshi Chicken | 600–650 | — |
| Beef | 750 | 699 |
| Mutton | 1,100 | — |
Businessman Nazrul, visiting Manikdi market on the weekly holiday, said, “Fish and vegetable prices have been high for a long time. Although vegetable prices have fallen slightly, fish remains expensive. Broiler chicken was cheaper last week, but prices have risen again this week.”
Supermarket shopper Hosain Rishtee added, “On holidays, supermarkets sometimes offer slightly lower prices than street markets. Today, pangas is available at BDT 160 per kilogram and smaller tilapia pieces at BDT 190. Beef is BDT 700, a little cheaper than in the outside markets. However, eggs cost BDT 42 per tray here, slightly higher than the BDT 40 outside, so I will buy them elsewhere.”
While protein prices remain high, vegetable markets show signs of relief due to increased winter supply. Medium-sized cauliflower is priced at BDT 20–30 (supermarket BDT 15), cabbage BDT 30 (supermarket BDT 17), brinjal BDT 60, papaya BDT 30, onions per bundle BDT 15, ridge gourd BDT 50, pumpkin BDT 80, radish BDT 40, turnip BDT 40, cucumber BDT 50, beans BDT 50, sweet pumpkin BDT 40, tomato BDT 80, carrot BDT 50, raw tomatoes BDT 40, bottle gourd BDT 50–60, potatoes BDT 20, and green chillies BDT 80.
This mixed trend highlights the ongoing struggle for affordable protein while the vegetable market gradually stabilises with the onset of winter.