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Sajib Sheikh, an onion trader at Karwan Bazar, the largest wholesale kitchen market in the capital, said demand for the cooking item usually rises ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. “Many traders are releasing smaller quantities into the market anticipating further price hikes.”

Ginger prices also surged significantly over the past week.

Traders said the spice was selling for Tk 170-190 per kg, while better-quality ginger crossed Tk 200 in some markets.

Meanwhile, local garlic prices remained largely stable due to adequate supply in the market.

Vegetable prices have remained high for nearly a month, consumers said, adding that even light rains were pushing the cost further up.

Most vegetables were selling above Tk 70-80 a kg yesterday.

Papaya, considered one of the cheapest vegetables in the market, cost Tk 60-80 per kg, while better-quality papaya reached Tk 100.

Hanif Mia, a vegetable vendor in East Shewrapara, said rain disrupts vegetable collection from fields. “When water accumulates in the fields, supply falls and prices go up.”

Talking to this correspondent, Nazim Uddin, who works at a Begunbari factory, said his mother is suffering from kidney disease. As she cannot eat all vegetables, he buys papaya for her. Yesterday, he bought it for Tk 100 per kg at Kawran Bazar.

“If this continues, it will be difficult for me and other low-income people to manage our families,” Nazim said, calling for stronger market monitoring so that traders cannot raise prices in the name of supply shortages.

Brinjal was selling for Tk 90-120 a kg depending on quality, while okra, snake gourd, sponge gourd, and ridge gourd cost Tk 80-100 a kg.

Prices of bitter gourd, yardlong beans, and teasel gourd were even higher, ranging between Tk 100 and Tk 120 per kg.

Fish traders said shrimp prices saw one of the sharpest increases this week, hitting customers hard.

Delwar Hossain, a fish trader at Karwan Bazar, said fish prices tend to rise slightly every Friday, but shrimp prices increased unusually this week.

Horina shrimp, which sold for Tk 750-800 per kg last week, cost Tk 900-1,000 yesterday, he said.

Jalal Hawlader, a fish trader at Mirpur-1 kitchen market, said fish supply generally declines during the monsoon season, pushing up prices.

According to him, prices of farmed fish such as rohu, katla, mrigel, tilapia and pangas increased by Tk 10-20 per kg.

Beef prices also increased ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Mohammad Bashir, a meat trader in Kazipara, told this newspaper that cattle prices rose by Tk 5,000-7,000 per head over the past month. As a result, beef prices surged to Tk 820 per kg from Tk 780-800 previously.

He, however, believes the hike is temporary and linked to Eid demand.