Prices of chicken significantly increased ahead of the holy month of Ramadan further augmenting sufferings of the fixed income consumer groups.
However, fish and vegetables prices declined slightly but were still trading at much higher rates.
Chicken prices which showed a decline two weeks back increased again by Tk 10-Tk 50 a kilogram based on variety.
Indigenous chicken (deshi Murgi) witnessed maximum rise in price in a week among all varieties, increasing to Tk 500-550 per kg from Tk 450-500 a kg earlier.
Broiler chicken price increased by Tk 10 and was sold at Tk 150-Tk 155 a kg on Thursday; layer by Tk 20 and sold at Tk 190-200 a kg.
Pakistani variety was sold at Tk 280-350 a kg in different markets of the capital - Tk 30 hike in a week.
Enamul Hoque, a chicken trader at Rayer Bazar in the city, said the price will further increase in the next few days.
He blamed the suppliers for the prices hike.
The suppliers have raised prices (of chicken) ahead of Ramadan month, he said.
Poultry farms at Keraniganj and Savar in the outskirts of the city were charging Tk 150 for one kg broiler and Tk 190 for one kg layer chicken which was Tk 130 and Tk 170 respectively a few days back.
Altaf Hossain Biplob, owner of Nishat Poultry Farm at Bangalipur in Dhamrai told the FE that demand for chicken has increased in recent days while production declined as many farms have closed their operation.
He said production cost has increased to Tk 135-138 for one kg broiler chicken which forced them to raise prices.
However, prices of some vegetables declined in the last week.
Prices of snake gourd, sponge gourd and ridge gourd declined by Tk 10 per kg. But they were still selling at Tk 60-70 a kg while teasel gourd and bitter gourd at Tk 70- 80 a kg.
Long been, pointed gourd, brinjal prices declined by Tk 10 and were sold at Tk 50-60 per kg. Okra, papaya and tomato were traded at Tk 40 a kg.
Riverine fish showed a decline of Tk 50-100 per kg but the price was still much higher compared to its costs one week earlier.
The two-month long fishing ban in the country's major rivers and their sanctuaries ended on April 30.
But the end of the ban was yet to put a visible effect on the markets, said traders.
Hilsa was sold at Tk 600-1,350 a kg on Thursday based on its size.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said exorbitant prices of different varieties of chicken and vegetables were directly affecting limited income people.
The middle-income segment was also suffering for increase in most of essential items including beef, fish and sugar, he noted.
Lack of market monitoring by the government has been encouraging the unscrupulous traders to raise prices (of the essentials) at their will.
