STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Continuous rain over the past few days has driven up the prices of several vegetables.

During visits to various markets in the capital, this correspondent found that long and round eggplants were selling for Tk 100–200 per kg, up from Tk 80–160 last week, while big round eggplants were priced at Tk 260–300, compared to Tk 200–240 previously.

Prices of other vegetables, including bitter gourd, okra and pointed gourd, increased by Tk 10–20.

Bitter gourd and yard-long beans were selling at Tk 80–120 per kg, up from Tk 80–100 last week. Spiny bitter gourd was priced at Tk 100–120, compared to Tk 80–100, while pointed gourd and okra were sold at Tk 80–100, up from Tk 70–90.

Green chilli prices surged to Tk 300–400 per kg, from Tk 200–300 previously.

Mohammad Faruk, a wholesaler at Karwan Bazar, said, “Many vegetable plants have died due to the continuous rain. The goods come from various districts like Dhaka, Manikganj, Narshingdi and Gazipur.”

The situation was observed during visits to Shewrapara, Ibrahimpur, Karwan Bazar, Hatirpool, Kathalbagan and Sukrabad yesterday.

Prices of papaya and potatoes, however, remained unchanged at Tk 20–30 per kg and Tk 20, respectively.

Rabiul Awal, a shopper at Karwan Bazar, said, “Round chickpeas are now Tk 250 per kg, which was only Tk 160 a few days ago, while green chilli has jumped to Tk 400 per kg from Tk 200 last week.”

Sirajuddin, a trader at Kathalbagan Kitchen Market, added that blackish, round chickpeas were selling at Tk 300 yesterday morning due to very low supply.