Broiler chicken, meat prices skyrocketed!

The skyrocketing price of broiler chicken, the cheapest and biggest source of protein in the country, is forcing lower and middle-income people to cut their protein intake capacity.

Even two months ago, broiler chicken was sold at Tk 140 to Tk 150 per kilogram but it is now being sold at Tk 250 to Tk 260 at different kitchen markets in the capital Dhaka on Friday.

Sonali chicken is being sold at Tk 340 to Tk 350 per kilogram at Kawran Bazar market which was Tk 330 to Tk 340 a week ago while the local chicken is also being sold at an increased price at Tk 500 to Tk 550 per kilogram.

While talking to the reporter, a number of sellers said that they have never sold broiler chicken at Tk 260 per kilogram before.

The prices have skyrocketed due to short supply and the increased price of poultry feed, said many sellers.

The price of onion has increased and per kilogram of onion is being sold at Tk 35 to Tk 40 which was Tk 25 to Tk 30 a week ago.

per kilogram of imported garlic is being sold at Tk 140 while local garlic is being sold at Tk 120 to Tk 130 and ginger is being sold at Tk 140 to Tk 160 based on varieties.

Beef is being sold in the market at higher prices than before. Now per kilogram of beef is being sold at Tk 750 at Kawran Bazar market which was Tk 650 to Tk 700 two weeks ago.

Goat meat is being sold at Tk 1,100 to Tk 1,300 which was Tk 900 to Tk 1,000 a week ago.

While visiting Kawran Bazar kitchen market, the reporter found that a piece of cabbage and cauliflower are being sold at Tk 30 to Tk 35 respectively depending on size. Per kilogram of bean is being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 60, eggplant at Tk 60 to Tk 80 based on varieties, cucumber at Tk 40 To Tk 50, bitter gourd at Tk 80 to Tk 90, pumpkin at Tk 50 to Tk 60, bottle gourd at Tk 50 to Tk 60 depending on size.

Sweet pumpkin is being sold at Tk 40 per kilogram, pointed gourd at Tk 80, ladies’ fingers at Tk 100 and papaya at Tk 30 to Tk 40.

The price of green chili declined in the market as per kilogram of green chili is being sold at Tk 150 to Tk 160 which was being sold at Tk 190 to Tk 200 a week ago, per kilogram of potato is being sold at Tk 25 to Tk 30.

Per kilogram of unpackaged sugar is being sold at Tk 125 to Tk 130, unpackaged wheat at Tk 60 and per kilogram of lentil is being sold at Tk 140 while India lentil is being sold at Tk 120 to Tk 125 at Kawran Bazar market.

Talking to the reporter, many traders have blamed the government's failure in curbing the price spiral of commodity items, saying that the price will see a fresh hike ahead of the month of Ramada unless the government does not take measures immediately.

Besides, some consumers also blamed the government's failure and said the living cost is increasing abnormally every day but the government is not taking any measures to keep the market in a stable state.