However, the price of hilsa witnessed a slight rise in the city kitchen markets and fish markets despite supply of the delicious fish to the markets improved on the day.
Some vegetables like red tomato, cucumber, bitter gourd also got pricier at the kitchen markets.
Prices of major vegetables, namely brinjal, bean, pumpkin, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, potato and green chillie remained static on the day compared to the last week's prices.
Prices of some major essentials like flour and edible oil remain static maintaining the previous hike.
Prices of other essentials, including rice, soybean oil, egg, onion, lentils, and meat maintained their previous highs, according to kitchen market sources.
Talking to the FE, S M Abul Kalam, proprietor of Brothers Motsho Bhander in Jatrabari wholesale fish market, said the price of the national fish increased by Tk 50 per kg.
There is some supply shortage of big- and medium-sized hilsa as mother fishes go to the sea during this time of the season after laying eggs, he added.
Billal (one name only), a trader at Krishi Market, said on the day prices of all types of chicken remained static compared to that in the previous week.
Rasel (also one name), a trader at the same market said broiler chicken was selling at Tk 190 per kg, Sonali at Tk 320 a kg and the local variety of chicken at Tk 500.
Sources said the chicken price is likely to increase further as the hatcheries have increased the price of one-day old chick to Tk 40 from Tk 25 each. In addition, poultry feed price is also showing an upward trend.
Egg prices remained stable at Tk 140-145 a dozen (per 12-piece).
Prices of the most varieties of rice also remained unchanged as miniket was selling at Tk 73-75 a kg, Nazirshail at Tk 83-91, the coarse variety ones at Tk 48-55 per kg and the loose pillow rice was available at Tk 130-135 a kg.
Talking to the FE, Rakib Hossain, a private service holder, said traders are giving different excuses for the recent price hike of the essentials.
Mr Hossain said currently he and his family members are struggling to survive with a very limited income.
Most of the vegetables got costlier despite the expectation that supply of winter vegetables would help cool down the volatility in prices at the markets, he added.
Maksud, a retail veg trader at Krishi Market, said Brinjal was selling at Tk70-80 per kg, bitter gourd Tk 70-80, cucumber at Tk 70-80, bean at Tk 80-90 and cauliflower and cabbage were available at Tk 50-70 a kg depending on their sizes and varieties.
Potato was traded at Tk 30-40 a kg, local-variety onion at Tk 55-60, local garlic at Tk 40-45 and imported garlic at Tk 135-145 per kg, he mentioned.
Loose flour (Atta) was sold at Tk 55-58 per kg, packed Atta of different brands Tk 58-62 a kg, loose flour (Maida) at Tk 65-68, and packed Maida at Tk 72-75 on the day.
