Staff Reporter :
Prices of various commodities, including lentils, chickpeas, sugar, onions, and other vegetables, have increased ahead of Ramzan, which begins from today (Saturday).
Consumers blamed the government’s lax monitoring system for failing to keep prices under control.
They say that some unscrupulous traders know that people would buy certain items even at a high price during Ramzan. So, the sellers take advantage of the situation to make hefty profits.
Meanwhile, the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) began selling five essential commodities at a subsidized rate across the country from April 1. But their initiatives are so little for impacting the prices of the essential commodities in the local markets.
Under the program, the TCB will sell commodities across the country by 350 trucks, said a press release issued by the TCB.
During a visit to different kitchen markets in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, this reporter found that the price of lentils rose to Tk. 110 per kg, up by Tk. 10-15 from last week’s price.
Chickpeas are very popular during Ramzan. Their price has risen to Tk. 80-85 per kg, up by Tk. 5 since the last week.
The price of sugar was Tk. 70-80 a kg as against last week’s price of Tk. 65-75.
Besides, local varieties of onion were selling for Tk. 65-70 a kg in retail markets yesterday and the imported variety for Tk. 40-50.
Garlic was being sold for Tk. 180-200 a kg, which was Tk. 140-160 last week. Local ginger was selling for Tk. 230-270 a kg and the imported Chinese variety for Tk. 350-400.
Broiler chicken was selling for Tk. 120-130 a kg, against Tk. 100-110 per kg last week. Broiler eggs were being sold for Tk. 90 per dozen, which was Tk. 80 per dozen only a week ago. But the prices of other chicken varieties, including the local ones, remained high over the week.
The local chicken was being sold at Tk. 400-450 per kg, layer chicken (small size) for Tk. 160-170 per piece and Pakistani chicken for Tk. 220-230 per piece. Beef was selling Tk 600 per Kg and Red meat was selling Tk 800-900 per kg.
Some consumers said that before every Ramzan the government assure them of adequate stocks of essential commodities to keep prices stable, but the traders eventually used to increase the prices.
“Though there is an adequate supply of essential commodities in the market, their prices have already increased due to Ramzan and ongoing shutdown,” said Mohammad Idris Ali, a retailer of the Banasree area of the capital city.
Vegetable prices have remained high due to inadequate supplies against rising demand. Most of the vegetables were being sold for Tk. 50-70 per kg in most of the capital’s kitchen markets yesterday.
Summer vegetables like pointed gourds, okra, bitter gourds, and taro plant were being sold for Tk. 40-50 a kg yesterday.
Winter vegetables have almost disappeared from the market. The only tomato was available for Tk. 30-40 per kg.
Bitter gourds were being sold for Tk. 40-50 a kg, eggplants were selling for Tk. 50-60 a kg, bottle gourds for Tk. 40-50 apiece, papaya Tk 35-45 and cucumber for Tk. 30-40. Most of the vegetables and leafy greens showed a further hike in prices.
