Commodity prices soar ahead of Ramadan

The prices of various essential commodities are skyrocketing in kitchen markets across the capital ahead of Ramadan, just like it did in the previous years, despite the government’s efforts to keep the rates stable.

Retailers on Friday had no shortage of stock, but were selling eggplants, lemon, cucumber, puffed rice, lentil, onion, date, chili, dry Chili, coriander leaves and other items at much higher rates compared to the last week.

Kitchen market retailers are selling eggplants for Tk 70 – Tk 80, a sharp increase from Tk 40 – Tk 50 last week. The price of four lemons is Tk 45 – Tk 50, up from Tk 30 – Tk 35 a week ago. Cucumber is being sold for Tk 60 – Tk 80 per kg, which was Tk 40 – Tk 50 last week.

Coriander leaves are being sold for Tk 60 – Tk 70, up from Tk 45 – Tk 50 a week ago. Puffed rice, which is the most common iftar item in the country, was sold for Tk 60 – Tk 65 per kg, compared to Tk 50 – Tk 55 just a few days ago.

Puffed rice traders said the demand for this food item increases during Ramadan every year, and this is why the prices go up too.

Sugar and lentils prices are fluctuating ahead of Ramadan as well.

The price of non-packaged sugar increased by Tk 2 – Tk 3 per kg this week in the city’s kitchen markets, and the item is now being sold at Tk 82 – Tk 83 per kg. Packaged sugar is now being sold for Tk 85 per kg.

Lentil prices remain high this week. The fine variety of lentil is being sold for Tk 140 a kg, an increase from Tk 130 two weeks ago.

Beef, mutton, chicken pricesrising too

Traders in kitchen markets across Dhaka have increased mutton, beef and chicken prices ahead of Ramadan, creating more pressure on the wallets of consumers - especially those from the middle and low-income groups.

Traders claimed that due to the high demand, beef prices rose to Tk 700 per kg in the city’s markets on Friday, compared to Tk 630 per kg last week. Mutton prices have hit Tk 950 per kg, a sharp rise from Tk 900 per kg in the previous week.

Broiler chicken is selling for Tk 170 – Tk 178 per kg, up from Tk 163 – Tk 165 last week. Sonali chicken is being sold for Tk 300 per kg, which was at Tk 270 – Tk 280 last week. Local chicken is selling for Tk 550, up from Tk 520 – Tk 530 per kg last week.