Rice Prices Drop, Eggs and Beef Soar Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

Rice prices in Dhaka’s kitchen markets have fallen by Tk4-12 per kg over the past three weeks, driven by Boro season harvests flooding the market. However, egg and beef prices have spiked, with the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha and a heatwave impacting supply, while vegetable prices remain steady but slightly high.

On 16 May, visits to Shahjadpur, Notun Bazar, and Badda markets showed coarse rice (Shorna) at Tk52-55 per kg, medium-grade rice (BRRI-28, BRRI-29, Paijam) at Tk58-60 per kg, and fine Miniket at Tk72-76 per kg, down from Tk82-90 last month. Nazirshail and Basmati fetched Tk80-90 and Tk95 per kg, respectively.

Egg prices surged Tk10-15 per dozen in a week, reaching Tk140-145 compared to Tk130-135, due to heatwave-related production drops. Beef prices rose Tk30 per kg to Tk780-800, as cattle farmers hold back supply for Eid-ul-Adha, according to Shahjadpur meat seller Jalal Uddin. Meanwhile, broiler chicken prices dipped Tk10-20 to Tk160-180 per kg.

Vegetables like pointed gourd, okra, ridge gourd, snake gourd, long beans, papaya, tomato, wax gourd, and bottle gourd held steady at Tk40-60 per kg, while teasel gourd and eggplant hit Tk70-80. Vendor Imam Hossain noted seasonal cultivation limits keep prices moderate but not low.