Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Dec 15, 2025 (BSS) - Prices of winter vegetables, fish and chicken have dropped significantly in kitchen markets across Khulna as supplies increased with the arrival of the winter season, bringing much-needed relief to consumers.

Traders said prices of most winter vegetables have fallen by Tk 25-30 per kilogram over the past week due to a sharp rise in supply from different upazilas of the district. 

The price of green chilli alone declined by Tk 60-70 per kg, although tomato prices remain relatively high due to lower arrivals.

During visits to several city markets on Sunday, this correspondent found winter brinjal selling at Tk 40-50 per kg, pointed gourd at Tk 50-60, cauliflower at Tk 40-50, down from Tk 100 only five days ago, and beans at Tk 50-60 per kg.

Cabbage is now selling at Tk 30-40 per kg, pumpkin at Tk 30-35, spinach at Tk 15-20, radish at Tk 30-40, green chilli at Tk 50-60, new potato at Tk 30-35 and gourd at Tk 25-35 per kg. Tomatoes are selling at Tk 60-80 per kg.

Onion prices have declined by around Tk 20 to Tk 120-130 per kg, while garlic is selling at Tk 80-100 per kg.

Vegetable traders said local production has increased sharply. "As wholesale prices have dropped due to increased supply, we are selling vegetables at lower retail prices," said Alauddin Sheikh, a trader at Sandhya Bazar. 

He added that most vegetables are now coming from the Khulna region, reducing transportation costs.

Motaleb Mia, a trader at Mistripara kitchen market, said continuous supplies from Dumuria and other upazilas since early December have caused prices to fall steadily.

Fish prices have also declined with increased winter catches. Fish trader Ibrahim Sardar told BSS fish prices usually remain low during winter. "Although gher-farmed fish are slightly costlier due to rising feed prices, overall fish prices are now low," he added.

In the markets, rui fish is selling at Tk 220-250 per kg, tilapia at Tk 130-160, pangasius at Tk 160-180, shrimp at Tk 600-1,000 depending on size, pabda (butter catfish) at Tk 250-300 per kg, and small indigenous fish at Tk 250-350 per kg.

Talking to BSS, Hashem, a chicken trader of the city's Sandha Bazar (Evening market), Prices of chicken have also dropped. Broiler chicken is selling at Tk 160-170 per kg, Sonali at Tk 250-260 and layer chicken at Tk 230-240 per kg, traders said.

Consumers expressed satisfaction over the price drop. "Only a week ago, shopping was very expensive. Now I can buy enough vegetables without worry," said Farid Khan, a buyer at Sandhya Bazar.

Md Rafiqul Islam, Additional Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in Khulna zone, said winter vegetables are now flooding the markets. "If supply continues, prices may fall further next month, bringing more relief to consumers," he added.

However, some consumers urged stronger market monitoring to prevent sudden price hikes, particularly for onion, garlic and beef, which remain comparatively expensive.