Meat Prices Surge in City Markets
Key Takeaways
- Meat prices surge in city markets, with beef, chicken, and potatoes witnessing significant price hikes.
- Broiler chicken now sells at Tk 210-220 per kg, up from Tk 200-210 ten days ago, while beef prices have risen from Tk 750 to Tk 780 per kg.
- Despite government efforts to regulate prices, traders continue to sell commodities above fixed rates, leaving low-income families struggling to afford essentials.
Residents of the capital are facing a spike in prices for essential meats like beef, chicken, and potatoes across kitchen markets in the city.
A recent survey by The Daily Star revealed a noticeable increase in the cost of broiler chicken, now priced between Tk 210-220 per kg, up from Tk 200-210 just ten days ago. Similarly, other varieties of chicken have also seen price hikes.
Sonali chicken, for instance, now sells at Tk 310-330 per kg, compared to Tk 300-310 a week ago. Meanwhile, local chicken prices have surged to Tk 600-650 from Tk 580-600 previously.
Beef prices have followed suit, rising from Tk 750 per kg a week ago to Tk 780 currently. According to Md Bashir Miah, a beef seller, this increase is due to a 10 percent rise in cattle prices. He highlighted concerns about some sellers resorting to dishonest practices, such as increasing the weight of beef by soaking it in water.
Potato prices have also experienced a slight uptick, now selling at Tk 45 per kg compared to Tk 40 just three days prior. Additionally, bananas have seen an increase of Tk 10-20 per dozen.
Despite government efforts to regulate prices, traders continue to sell commodities above the fixed rates. Although the government had set prices for 29 items, including chicken, beef, mutton, and potatoes, market realities differ from these mandated rates.
The failure of government agencies to enforce price caps has left many low-income families struggling to afford essentials. Disappointed with the inability to purchase affordable meat despite fixed prices, individuals like Azhar Mahmud question the effectiveness of government interventions.
Rashid Milan, an insurance company official, noted that while vegetable prices have slightly decreased, the cost of lentils, eggs, and meat remains high, exacerbating the financial strain on consumers.
As residents grapple with rising meat prices, concerns persist about the government’s ability to enforce price regulations effectively, leaving many to bear the brunt of escalating living costs in the city.
