Amidst soaring onion prices and elevated costs of other essential items, the prices of many vegetables have experienced significant hikes, intensifying concerns among consumers. Pointed gourd, a popular summer vegetable, saw a price increase from Tk 60-70 per kg to Tk 80-100 per kg in just two days. Even papaya, typically considered an affordable vegetable, was priced at Tk 60-80 per kg. Summer vegetables such as brinjal, snake gourd, sponge gourd, teasel gourd, bitter gourd, colocasia stem, yardlong bean, and okra witnessed price hikes of Tk 10-20 per kg, according to vendors in city kitchen markets.
Tomato, cucumber, and carrot prices remained steady, while lemon prices showed a decline. Onion prices remained high at Tk 80-90 per kg. The off-season resulted in a decreased supply of cabbage and cauliflower, leading to prices of Tk 60-70 per piece. Factors contributing to these price fluctuations include lower supply of pointed gourd in the wholesale market, a decline in vegetable cultivation, and water scarcity affecting production in certain regions. Agriculture officials anticipate a decrease in vegetable prices from June as farming activities ramp up across the country. The agriculture ministry has set a target of producing 8 million tonnes of vegetables across 0.45 million hectares during the summer season.