Dhaka, Jan. 23 -- Winter has brought a bumper vegetable harvest across the country, supported by smooth transportation and abundant supply, yet Dhaka's consumers are seeing little relief at the markets.

Visits to several city markets showed that vegetable prices remain stubbornly high, even as farmers complain they are barely recovering production costs, raising fresh questions about possible market manipulation and the role of middlemen in the supply chain.

Dhaka's kitchen markets are actually awash with winter vegetables, but prices show little sign of easing even in what is traditionally the cheapest season of the year.

While consumers continue to pay inflated rates, farmers across producing districts say they are selling their prod...