Prices ease in Dhaka kitchen markets after Eid

After Eid‑ul‑Fitr, prices of beef, hilsa, vegetables, and several other essentials have declined in Dhaka’s kitchen markets as post-festival demand drops and vendors clear older stock. Shoppers are paying less for items that were in high demand before the holiday.

Retailers say fresh supplies have yet to arrive, with new consignments expected within three to four days. In the meantime, many vendors have reduced prices to clear existing stock, while low customer turnout continues to keep demand subdued.

Fakhrul Alam, a retailer at Karwan Bazar, said vegetable prices dropped noticeably after Eid. Green chilies, which sold for Tk 80–110 per kg before the festival, are now priced at Tk 75–80.

Tomatoes have fallen from Tk 30–40 per kg to Tk 20–25, while pointed gourd has dropped from Tk 100 to Tk 60 per kg. Eggplant is now selling at Tk 50 per kg, down from Tk 80–100, and bitter gourd has declined from Tk 100–120 to Tk 60–70. Lemons, previously sold at Tk 20–25 each, are now priced at Tk 15–20.

Despite adequate supply, Fakhrul said the number of buyers remains low, pushing prices downward.

Beef prices, which had risen to Tk 750–850 per kg ahead of Eid from Tk 700–750, have now dropped to Tk 680–760 per kg, according to visits to markets in Karwan Bazar, Shewrapara and Mirpur-1.

Chicken prices, however, have remained largely stable. Sonali chicken is selling for Tk 330–365 per kg, while broiler chicken has seen a slight decrease of Tk 5–10, now priced at Tk 210–220. Local chicken is available at Tk 640–680 per kg.

Ariful Islam, a meat seller at Shewrapara Market, said the Eid holiday effect persists, with fewer buyers in the market. By 11am, his sale remained less than a kilogram.

Fish markets also remain quiet. Demand for fish typically declines during Eid as consumers prefer meat. However, hilsa and shrimp continue to attract buyers.

Before Eid, medium-sized hilsa sold for Tk 1,500–2,000 per piece, while bigger hilsa fetched Tk 2,800–3,000 per kg. Prices have now dropped to Tk 2,000–2,200 per kg for bigger fish, and Tk 1,100–1,200 for those weighing around 400 grams.

Shrimp prices, however, remain unchanged at Tk 1,100–1,200 per kg.

Shafiquzzaman, a fish vendor at Shewrapara Market, said supply remains limited, with most fish still selling at pre-Eid prices.

Nazmul Alam, a trader at Karwan Bazar, said current buyers are mostly local residents and restaurant operators.

Shafiqul Alam Chowdhury, a customer, said he returned to Dhaka after Eid and found that prices of many essentials had dropped significantly.