Beef, rice prices surge, chicken, egg costs fall

In the wake of Eid, retail markets in Dhaka are witnessing rising prices of rice and beef, while broiler chicken and eggs are now available at lower prices. With fish prices relatively stable, many shoppers are breathing a sigh of relief.

Traders report that rice prices have surged at wholesale hubs across the country. According to Dhaka-based retailers, rice mill owners have raised prices after Eid, capitalizing on the revived demand. Over the past week, the price of a 50-kg sack of rice has increased by up to Tk 250 at various mill gates.

A market visit on Friday revealed that the retail price of rice has risen by Tk 2 to 5 per kg compared to pre-Eid levels. Coarse rice varieties like BR-28 and Parija are now selling for Tk 58–62 per kg, depending on quality. Among fine rice types, Zirashail is priced at Tk 74–78 per kg, Miniket at Tk 76–80, and Kataribhog at Tk 70–75.

Prices tend to be slightly higher in smaller neighborhood markets and grocery stores. At Rampura Market, rice vendor Jubayer Ali said post-Eid prices have gone up by Tk 50 to 250 per sack. He added that prices are rising in wholesale hubs like Dinajpur, Naogaon, and Kushtia as well. Mill owners blame the hike on rising paddy prices.

On the other hand, prices of chicken, eggs, vegetables, and other daily essentials have seen a noticeable drop. Prices of grocery staples like onions and potatoes have also remained stable.

Broiler chicken prices have dropped to Tk 150 per kg over the past week, while eggs are now selling at Tk 120–130 per dozen. Market footfall remains low after Eid, with many households still relying on leftover sacrificial meat. As a result, demand for eggs and poultry has declined.

On Friday, broiler chicken was selling for Tk 150–160 per kg at most shops, compared to Tk 170–180 before Eid — a drop of about Tk 20. Prices of Sonali chicken have also come down, now ranging between Tk 260–280 per kg.

Vegetables such as pointed gourd, okra, and ridge gourd are selling between Tk 50–60 per kg. Larger markets and mobile vendors are offering even lower prices. Vendors say vegetable prices have been falling steadily since Eid.

Despite the drop in chicken prices, beef and mutton remain expensive. Beef is being sold for Tk 780–800 per kg, mutton at Tk 1,250, and goat meat at Tk 1,100 per kg.

Selina Hossain, a homemaker, said, “I bought a kilogram of beef for Tk 800. It feels a bit expensive, but there’s no alternative. You can’t even bargain—shopkeepers act like it’s a take-it-or-leave-it deal.”