Dhaka residents are grappling with skyrocketing prices as the supply of fish and vegetables plummets, hit by seasonal scarcity, heavy rains, and flooding. Vendors say this time of year usually brings abundant fish, yet this season only farmed tilapia and pangas are under Tk 400 per kg. Popular river fish now fetch between Tk 600 and Tk 1,000 per kg. Hilsa supply has slightly improved, but remains expensive — 800–900g fish are priced at Tk 1,800–2,000. Vegetable prices have surged again, with no quality produce under Tk 70–80 per kg. Eggplants cost up to Tk 120, bitter gourd and cucumber Tk 100, and green chilies an eye-watering Tk 240 per kg. Onion prices have also climbed to Tk 80–85 per kg.

With the winter vegetable season over, prices in Dhaka’s fresh markets have spiked. Bitter gourd is selling at Tk 60/kg, eggplant and long beans at Tk 70/kg, ridge gourd and snake gourd at Tk 60/kg, taro stalk at Tk 70/kg, teasel gourd at Tk 100/kg, okra at Tk 50/kg, sponge gourd at Tk 70/kg, and tomatoes at Tk 30/kg. Papaya is priced at Tk 70/kg, carrots at Tk 40/kg, cucumber at Tk 50/kg, pointed gourd at Tk 50–60/kg, and drumsticks at Tk 120–140/kg. Bottle gourd costs Tk 40–60 each. Green chilies are selling for Tk 80–100/kg. Broiler chicken is priced at Tk 180–190/kg, while beef has surged to Tk 750–800/kg.

Retail onion prices have surged from Tk 30–35 to Tk 70 per kg. Investigations reveal that a syndicate of middlemen has been hoarding onions, citing the ban on Indian imports to create market instability. The group aims to send a message that the domestic supply cannot meet demand without Indian imports. Experts warn that this group is attempting to push local onion prices over Tk 100 in the coming months. Vegetable prices have also increased, prompting experts to recommend stricter government market control, similar to measures taken during Ramadan.