<i>Veg at throwaway prices </i>
Momen Tarafder, a seller at Shibchar municipality market in Madaripur district, holds a gourd that he has to sell at a nominal price as vegetables in the area see unusual fall of prices this season.Photo: STAR
Vegetables are selling at throwaway price at different markets in Madaripur. Tomato is selling at Tk 3 to 5 per kg, beans Tk 6 to 7 a kg, brinjal at Tk 7 to 8, potato at Tk 9 to 10, big size gourd Tk 8 to 10 a piece, middle sized pumpkin at Tk 10, onion at Tk 20 to 24 per kg while green chili and garlic at Tk 28 to 32 per kg. Though the buyers are happy at the fall of prices the farmers and traders are facing a difficult time. During visit to different markets yesterday it was observed that the prices declined as the supply of items were surplus to demand while there is no storage facilities, Farmer Momen Tarafder who was selling vegetables at Shibchar municipal market said as there is no cold storage in the area they are deprived of fair price for their produces. Madan Roy, a buyer at Pachchor Bazar and Rafiq Bepari, another buyer at municipal market said they bought tomato at Tk 50 per kg and brinjal at Tk 40 or so just two weeks back. They expressed a mixed feeling at fall of prices. Wholesaler at Shibchar Bazar Miajan Bepari said he is now selling items almost without profit as the vegetable prices are not good for the last 10 days. Shibchar upazila agriculture officer Md Motiar Rahman said, the production of the vegetables was good this season due to good weather. As there is no cold storage in the area the farmers are compelled to sell their merchandise at lower price. The situation may continue for more than one month, he said. Trader Salam Sarder at Shibchar municipal kitchen market however expressed the hope that price of tomato will again soar to Tk 60 to 70 per kg and beans would sell at Tk 50 or so within a week or two as the supply will decline by that time.
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