Continuous rainfall over the past few days has triggered a fresh price surge in Dhaka's retail kitchen markets, pushing round brinjal (eggplant) to a peak of Tk 140 per kilogram. Green papaya remains the sole exception, retailing at a market-low of Tk 30 per kg.

A spot check across various capital kitchen markets on Friday (September 11) revealed widespread price increases across nearly all vegetable varieties.

Currently, round brinjal is selling for Tk 140 per kg, while long brinjal is priced at Tk 100 per kg. Yard-long beans (borboti) are retailing at Tk 120 per kg, with ridge gourd (jhinga), sponge gourd (dhundul), snake gourd (chicinga), pointed gourd (potol), and bitter gourd (korola) all fetching Tk 80 per kg.

Cucumber and tomatoes are selling at Tk 80 and Tk 100 per kg, respectively, while carrots have reached Tk 140 per kg. Taro arum (kochu) and sweet pumpkin are priced at Tk 60 per kg, okra (dherosh) at Tk 60 per kg, and green chillies at Tk 160 per kg. Additionally, bottle gourds are selling for Tk 60 to Tk 70 apiece, while green bananas are priced at Tk 40 per four pieces (hali).

Shoppers expressed frustration over the sudden price hike following a period of relative market stability. Jahidur Rahman, a private service holder shopping at Malibagh market on the weekend, noted that prices had risen noticeably across almost all produce compared to the previous week.

Retail traders attributed the price increases to supply chain disruptions caused by persistent rain. Tofazzal Hossain, a vegetable vendor at Rampura market, stated that supply arrivals at wholesale hubs fell over recent days, driving up wholesale lot prices. He added that retail prices are expected to ease once weather conditions normalize and supply inflows stabilize.