Vegetable prices skyrocket in Sylhet

Even a few days ago, in wholesale markets of the town, each kg of green chilli and tomato was sold at between Tk55-60 and Tk70-80 respectively. But last week, green chilli was sold at between Tk250-300, while tomato at Tk80-90 in wholesale markets.

The same green chilli and tomato is now sold at Tk400 and Tk140, respectively. Prices of all kinds of vegetables are on the rise. Prices of commodities of wholesale markets have directly impacted on prices at retail markets. Ibrahim Mia, the owner of Maa Sabji Bhander, informed that prices of essentials are varying everyday due to flooding.

Businessmen and wholesalers have opined that local farmers are unable to produce vegetables due to flooding. Vegetables are not coming from other districts as per needs. As to why, supply is much less than demand resulting in price-hike of all kinds of vegetables.

A wholesaler, Aftab Mia Chowdhury, informed that most of agricultural lands in all upazilas of Sylhet are under floodwaters. Vegetables from Rajshahi and Munshiganj are not available as per demand.

During a visit to Subhanighat, the main wholesale vegetable market of Sylhet, it was found that the market was not bustling with sellers and buyers. Before flooding, several hundreds of trucks used to enter the market daily. But now, a few vegetable-laden trucks enter the market. The number of retailers from different rural markets also decreased significantly.

Even sale of vegetables on vans also came down. Earlier, a small trader was found to buy vegetables amounting to Tk5,000. Now, the same trader buys vegetables worth Tk2,000 only.

Nurul Haque, a vegetable trader in Mirabazaar area, informed that because of high price of vegetables, their sale came down sharply.

In wholesale markets, each kg potato is being sold at between Tk55-60, while in retail markets it is being sold at between Tk60-70.

In wholesale markets, each kg carrot is being sold at between Tk60-70, while papaya at Tk40, cucumber at between Tk50-60, pointed gourd at Tk30, bitter gourd at Tk70 and Okra at Tk50.

Abul Bashar Bachchu, a resident of the city’s Mirermaidan area, said, “There is no vegetable that are being sold below Tk100 per kg.”

Abul Khair Molla, Deputy Director of Sylhet Agricultural Directorate, said, “Vegetables are grown in abundance in Tukerbazaar area of Sylhet Sadar. Lots of vegetables are also grown in Jaintapur, Balaganj, Zakiganj and some other upazilas. But because of several bouts of flooding, farmers could not produce the vegetables resulting in their crisis.