DHAKA, Jan 14, 2026 (BSS) - The prices of at least 20 essential agricultural products, including onion and garlic, have decreased since the July Uprising, according to the Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM).

The prices of essentials in the market were always upward although Bangladesh produces many essential agricultural products.

According to the market price data of daily essential agricultural products of the DAM, the retail price of potatoes was Taka 60 per kilogram before the July Uprising in 2024. This year, the price of the vegetable has decreased by 58 percent to Taka 25.

Before the July Uprising, the price of locally produced onions by was Taka 120 while this year, the price of onions has decreased by 12 percent to Taka 105. The price of imported onions was Taka 100. This year, the price has decreased by 25 percent to Taka 75.

The DAM sources said the price of locally produced garlic by was Taka 220 before the uprising. This year, the price of garlic has decreased by 45 percent to Taka 120. The price of Chinese garlic was Taka 220. This year, the price has decreased by 22 percent to Taka 170.

Before the uprising, the price of lentils was Taka 110 while this year, the price has decreased by 10 percent to Taka 100. The price of moog dal was Taka 150. This year, the price has decreased by 23 percent to Taka 115.

The price of kheshari dal (grass pea) was Taka 120 while this year, the price has decreased by 12 percent to Taka 105. The price of mashkalai per kg was Taka 200. This year, the price has decreased by 20 percent to Taka 180. 

Before the mass uprising, the price of gram (Chhola) per kg in the country was Taka 120. This year, the price has decreased by 12 percent to Taka 105.

The price of raw sugar was Taka 135 before the uprising while this year, the price has decreased by 22 percent to Taka 105. 

In addition, before the mass uprising, the price of imported ginger was Taka 300. This year, the price has decreased by 40 percent to Taka 180. The price of dried chili was Taka 350. This year, the price has decreased by 28 percent to Taka 250.

The price of green chili was Taka 180. This year the price has decreased by 22 percent to Taka 140. 

Earlier, the price of tomato was Taka 160 while this year the price has decreased by 25 percent to Taka 120. 

On the other hand, the price of carrot was Taka 100 taka. This year the price has decreased by 40 percent to Taka 60.

Besides, the price of domestic chicken per kg was Taka 600. This year it has decreased to Taka 580. The price of broiler chicken was Taka 180. This year it has decreased to Taka 170. The price of egg per piece was Taka 12.10. This year it has decreased to Taka 10.

The above information is taken from the Department of Agricultural Marketing's updated retail market price data for August 2024 and the updated market price data for January 8, 2026. 

This correspondent has visited different markets in the city for the last two days and talked with consumers.

In Hatirpul Raw Market Advocate Sohel Rahman told BSS that due to the syndicate of traders, the prices of daily essential agricultural products often go beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

He said, “Although there has been talk about the business syndicate in the past, we had not seen any initiative from the government. After the mass uprising, the government has been able to reduce the prices of daily necessities, albeit to a small extent.”

He expressed hope that the prices of all these essential commodities will further decrease once an elected government comes to power in the country. 

In Palashi Market, Dhaka University student Umme Afsara said although she lives in a dormitory, she regularly shops and cooks for herself.

She told BSS, “The fascist rulers do not need the people. That is why they never gave priority to the people. That is why the prices of daily necessities were beyond our reach."