Common people tend to vegetables leaving fish and meat

People especially low earners have fallen in dire straits as the prices of essential commodities have gone up in the market.

People especially low earners have fallen in dire straits  as the prices of essential commodities have gone up in the market. So, they are currently struggling to run their families. Many people are leaving meat and fish and are leaning towards vegetables while buying commodities at higher cost with fixed income.

It was seen in retail market in Rangpur on Friday (November 18), cauliflower is being sold at Tk 40 per kg, Eggplant at Tk 50, Cabbage at Tk 50, Carrot at Tk 120, Cucumber at Tk 100, Tomato at Tk 160, Beans at Tk 60. This price is unchanged from last two weeks. However, it is also known that these vegetables are being sold at half of prices mentioned above in the wholesale market.

Meanwhile, the prices of fish and meat in the market remained unchanged. Beef is being sold in Rangpur city market at Tk 650 per kg, while mutton at Tk 750 to Tk 800 taka. However, the price of fish has increased slightly in this market. The retail price is Tk 250-300 for Rui fish depending on the size, Tk 220-250 for Mrigal carp, Tk 200-220 for carp, Tk 150-160 for pangas, Tk 140-160 for tilapia, Tk 400-450 for catla fish, Tk 160-180 for bata fish, Tk 300-400 for Striped Snakehead Fish and Silver carp is being sold at Tk 150-250.

Talked to Jamal Uddin, a printing press worker in Rangpur, said, “I have been working for 17 years. Our income has not increased but decreased compared to the way of the prices of commodities went up since coronavirus pandemic. This low income could not cope with prices of daily necessities. Especially buying of fish and meat cannot be thought. So we have to buy vegetables and return home.

Rafiqul Islam, a laborer who came to buy vegetables in this market, said, “The prices of vegetables have not decreased in this market for the last six months. The prices of each vegetable is above Tk 50 per kg. A laborer like me, after buying rice with his daily income, comes to the bazaar and cannot even look at fish, let alone good vegetables. So I bought two types of vegetables with Tk 10 and on the way I will buy a kg of potatoes. Now we have no choice but to eat vegetables.”

After visiting the city market, many middle class people like Jamal, and Rafiqul were seen returning home after buying winter vegetables. When asked about the prices of vegetables in the market, they said that even in this busy season, the prices of vegetables have not decreased. Rather, the price this time is much higher than that of last year. And so they are buying less than what they need whether it is vegetable or fish.

City market vegetable seller Afzal Hossain said, “Even though winter vegetables have started arriving in the market, the prices have not decreased yet. As people’s income is low, there is low sale than before. People are now buying vegetables in much less quantities.