As Bangladesh prepares to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, likely next Friday or Saturday, depending on the sighting of the moon, the festive mood is building across the country.
But alongside the additional spending that comes with the season, a familiar concern is returning: rising food prices.
In Dhaka’s neighbourhood markets, the cost of essential protein items, particularly beef and chicken, has climbed sharply in recent days, placing additional pressure on household budgets already stretched by Ramadan expenses.
Beef prices surge ahead of Eid
Beef prices in the capital have risen to Tk 800-850 per kg, up from Tk 780-800 just a few days ago. The increase of Tk 50-70 per kg reflects a combination of tighter supply and heightened pre-Eid demand.
Visits to markets in Rampura, Malibagh and Shahjahanpur show a consistent pricing pattern, with many shops openly displaying Tk 850 per kg on fixed-price boards.
Traders say the price hike is driven by rising cattle costs in wholesale markets.
“Supply has decreased while demand has increased ahead of Eid,” said Abu Hanif, a meat seller at Shahjahanpur Colony Bazar. “When we have to buy cattle at higher prices, it is not possible to sell meat at lower rates.”
Consumers feel the pinch
For consumers, however, the price increase is difficult to absorb.
Buyers complain that the market often becomes volatile during festive periods, with prices rising more sharply than justified by supply conditions.
“The price of beef has gone up suddenly,” said Mamun Haque, a customer at a local market. “It is becoming difficult for ordinary people to afford good-quality meat during Eid.”
He added that price hikes during Ramadan and Eid have become a recurring issue, blaming what he described as opportunistic behaviour by some traders.
Poultry prices also climb
The pressure is not limited to beef.
Broiler chicken is now selling at Tk 230-240 per kg, up from Tk 210-220, while Sonali chicken prices have increased to Tk 330-350 per kg from Tk 300-320.
Retailers attribute the rise to increased demand and supply constraints, but consumers argue that weak oversight is allowing prices to climb unchecked.
Monitoring gaps raise concerns
At the start of Ramadan, authorities had intensified market monitoring in an effort to stabilise prices. However, consumers and market observers say enforcement has eased in recent days as Eid approaches.
This perceived decline in supervision is, in their view, giving traders more room to raise prices.
Broader economic impact
The rise in meat and poultry prices highlights a broader seasonal pattern in Bangladesh’s consumer markets, where demand surges during major festivals often translates into price volatility.
For lower and middle-income households, the impact is immediate. Food accounts for a significant share of monthly spending, and even modest increases can disrupt carefully managed budgets.
As Eid draws nearer, the key question is whether supply can stabilise and oversight can be strengthened to prevent further escalation.
For now, many consumers are adjusting their shopping lists – balancing tradition with affordability in the face of rising costs.