Meat became pricier last week after remaining almost stable for about two months.
Onion, ginger, and potato prices, however, showed a slight decline during the period while most of other essential commodities remained static.
Prices of beef, mutton, and broiler chicken increased by 9-12 per cent in the week. Traders attributed the price hike to rising demands both from restaurants and households.
They said the price might surge further amid some festive occasions and also the upcoming general election.
Beef was sold at Tk 500-Tk 520 a kg from Tk 460-Tk 500, mutton (khasi) at Tk 750-Tk 820 - Tk 20-Tk 40 per kg hike in a week.
Broiler chicken was sold at Tk 130-Tk 135 per kg on Thursday which was sold at Tk 115-Tk 120 a kg just seven days back.
Pakistani and local species (desi chicken) increased by Tk 30 per kg and sold at Tk 280-Tk 300 and Tk 400-Tk 430 a kg respectively on Thursday at different city kitchen markets.
Abdul Bari, a trader at Jafrabad, Rayerbazar in the city, said the price of farmed birds increased amid rising demand from restaurants and households.
He said prices of meat usually increase to some extent during winter and the month of Ramadan.
He said per quintal (100 kilogram) of broiler was sold at Tk 12,500-Tk 12,600 at farms in Savar, Gazipur and Tangail, which was Tk 9,800-Tk 11,000 only a week ago.
Kazi Mustafa Kamal, proprietor of Kamal Poultry Farm at Daudkandi in Comilla, told the FE that prices of chicken might increase further following the National Victory Day (December 16), parliamentary elections and the New Year celebration (according to Gregorian calendar).
Secretary General of Dhaka Metropolitan Meat Merchants Association (DMMMA) Rabiul Alam said prices of beef and mutton increased slightly following a rise in prices of the animals.
He said an oxen, weighing 100-150 kgs, was sold at Tk 45,000-Tk 70,000 --- Tk 2,500-Tk 4,000 surge in the last three weeks.
He said demands for meat will remain at its peak during the winter season.
Prices of onion showed a Tk 4.0-Tk 5.0 decline and was sold at Tk 35-45 (local) and Tk 25-Tk 32 a kg on Thursday.
Newly-harvested potato price showed a Tk 20 decline and was selling at Tk 50-Tk 60 a kg.
Old potato prices also witnessed a decrease by Tk 2.0-Tk 3.0 in a week and was selling at Tk 22-Tk 26 a kg.
Ginger prices showed a Tk 20 plunge per kg and sold at Tk 90-Tk 130 a kg.
