KITCHEN MARKET

Commodity prices up ahead of Ramadan

Prices of various commodities, including lentils, chickpeas, sugar, onions and other vegetables, have increased ahead of Ramadan, which begins early next month. In contrast, prices of broiler chicken and eggs have come down from what they were last week in the capital’s kitchen markets.

Consumers blame the government’s lax monitoring system for failing to keep prices under control ahead of Ramadan.

They complain that some unscrupulous traders know that  people would buy certain items even at a high price during Ramadan. So, these traders are taking advantage of the situation to make hefty profits.   

Commerce minister Tipu Munshi has asked all divisional commissioners to take tough steps to maintain the prices, stock and supply of daily essentials normal ahead of Ramadan. But the price levels are already on the rise despite the directive issued by the minister.

During a visit to different kitchen markets in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, this reporter found that the price of lentils has risen to Tk. 90–Tk. 95 per kg, up by Tk. 5 from last week’s price.

Chickpeas are very popular during Ramadan. Their price  has risen to Tk. 75–80 per kg, up by Tk. 5 since the last week.  

The price of sugar was Tk. 52–58 a kg as against last week’s price of Tk. 47–52.

Besides, local varieties of onion were selling for Tk. 35–40 a kg in retail markets yesterday and the imported variety for Tk. 25–30.

Garlic was being sold for Tk. 115–120 a kg, which was Tk. 90–100 last week. Local ginger was selling for Tk. 135–145 a kg and the imported Chinese variety for Tk. 120–130.  

Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh president Ghulam Rahman told the media that the government could predict the prices of essential commodities based on their stocks and international prices, but did not set the selling prices of the items.

He also said that the government should be watchful so that no one could create an artificial crisis of essential commodities.

Consumers, however, said that before every Ramadan the government assures them that there are adequate stocks of essential commodities to keep prices stable, but the traders eventually increase the prices.  

“Though there is an adequate supply of essentials commodities in the market, their prices have already increased due to Ramadan,” said Khairul Islam, a retailer at the Kawran Bazar kitchen market.

Ahead of Ramadan, the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) began selling commodities at a subsidised rate across the country from April 22. Under the programme, the TCB will sell 2,000–2,500 tonnes of edible oil, 2,000 tonnes of sugar, 1,000–1,100 tonnes of lentils, 1,500 tonnes of chickpeas, and 100 tonnes of dates.

On the other hand, broiler chicken and eggs were being sold at a lower price yesterday than the previous week.

Broiler chicken was selling for Tk. 140–150 a kg, which was Tk. 160–165 per kg last week. Broiler eggs were being sold for Tk. 90 per dozen, which was Tk. 105–110 per only a week ago. But the prices of other chicken varieties, including the local ones, remained high over the week.

Local chicken was being sold for Tk. 400–450 per kg, layer chicken (small size) for Tk. 210–220 per piece and Pakistani chicken for Tk. 260–350 per piece.

A chicken trader, Shamim Hasan, said the price of chicken increases during this time every year. But this year, the price has risen significantly higher because of inadequate supplies, he added.

Vehgetable prices have remained high due to inadequate supplies against a rising demand.  Most of the vegetables were being sold for Tk. 50–80 per kg in most of the capital’s kitchen markets yestreday.

Summer vegetables like pointed gourds, okra, bitter gourds and taro plant were being sold for Tk. 70–90 a kg yesterday.

Winter vegetables have almost disappeared from the market. Only tomato was available for Tk. 50–60 per kg, up from Tk. 25–40 last week.

Bitter gourds were being sold for Tk. 70–85 a kg, sponge gourds for Tk. 60–80, and pointed gourds and snake gourds for Tk. 70–90. Eggplants were selling for Tk. 50–60 a kg, bottle gourds for Tk. 40–50 apiece, ladies finger Tk. 60-80 a kg, papaya Tk 35-45 and cucumber for Tk. 30–40.

Most of the vegetables and leafy greens showed a further hike in prices.

Sweet pumpkins were selling for Tk. 50–60 per piece, while cauliflowers and cabbages were selling for Tk. 50–60 and Tk. 45–60 per piece, respectively.

Green chillies were being sold for Tk 60–80 a kg. Potatoes were being sold for Tk. 20–25 a kg.

Besides, the price of beef went up by Tk. 30 per kg and that of mutton by Tk. 50. Beef was being sold for Tk. 520–550, up from Tk. 500–520 a week back. The price of mutton was

Tk. 800–850 a kg, which was Tk. 750-800 last week.

Traders said the demand for beef and mutton has increased, but their supply has remained static. This has triggered the price hike, they claimed.

Besides, fish prices went up significantly. Rohu was being sold for Tk .350–600 per kg, tilapia for Tk. 150–180, pangas for Tk. 170–200, pabda for Tk. 600–700, wallago attu for Tk. 600–800 and catfish for Tk. 500–600.

Prices of different varieties of rice remained unchanged over the week.

 

KITCHEN MARKET

Commodity prices up ahead of Ramadan

Prices of various commodities, including lentils, chickpeas, sugar, onions and other vegetables, have increased ahead of Ramadan, which begins early next month. In contrast, prices of broiler chicken and eggs have come down from what they were last week in the capitals kitchen markets. Consumers blame the governments lax monitoring system for failing to keep prices under control ahead of Ramadan. They complain that some unscrupulous traders know that people would buy certain items even at a high price during Ramadan. So, these traders are taking advantage of the situation to make hefty profits. Commerce minister Tipu Munshi has asked all divisional commissioners to take tough steps to maintain the prices, stock and supply of daily essentials normal ahead of Ramadan. But the price levels are already on the rise despite the directive issued by the minister. During a visit to different kitchen markets in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, this reporter found that the price of lentils has risen to Tk. 90Tk. 95 per kg, up by Tk. 5 from last weeks price. Chickpeas are very popular during Ramadan. Their price has risen to Tk. 7580 per kg, up by Tk. 5 since the last week. The price of sugar was Tk. 5258 a kg as against last weeks price of Tk. 4752. Besides, local varieties of onion were selling for Tk. 3540 a kg in retail markets yesterday and the imported variety for Tk. 2530. Garlic was being sold for Tk. 115120 a kg, which was Tk. 90100 last week. Local ginger was selling for Tk. 135145 a kg and the imported Chinese variety for Tk. 120130. Consumers Association of Bangladesh president Ghulam Rahman told the media that the government could predict the prices of essential commodities based on their stocks and international prices, but did not set the selling prices of the items. He also said that the government should be watchful so that no one could create an artificial crisis of essential commodities. Consumers, however, said that before every Ramadan the government assures them that there are adequate stocks of essential commodities to keep prices stable, but the traders eventually increase the prices. Though there is an adequate supply of essentials commodities in the market, their prices have already increased due to Ramadan, said Khairul Islam, a retailer at the Kawran Bazar kitchen market. Ahead of Ramadan, the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) began selling commodities at a subsidised rate across the country from April 22. Under the programme, the TCB will sell 2,0002,500 tonnes of edible oil, 2,000 tonnes of sugar, 1,0001,100 tonnes of lentils, 1,500 tonnes of chickpeas, and 100 tonnes of dates. On the other hand, broiler chicken and eggs were being sold at a lower price yesterday than the previous week. Broiler chicken was selling for Tk. 140150 a kg, which was Tk. 160165 per kg last week. Broiler eggs were being sold for Tk. 90 per dozen, which was Tk. 105110 per only a week ago. But the prices of other chicken varieties, including the local ones, remained high over the week. Local chicken was being sold for Tk. 400450 per kg, layer chicken (small size) for Tk. 210220 per piece and Pakistani chicken for Tk. 260350 per piece. A chicken trader, Shamim Hasan, said the price of chicken increases during this time every year. But this year, the price has risen significantly higher because of inadequate supplies, he added. Vehgetable prices have remained high due to inadequate supplies against a rising demand. Most of the vegetables were being sold for Tk. 5080 per kg in most of the capitals kitchen markets yestreday. Summer vegetables like pointed gourds, okra, bitter gourds and taro plant were being sold for Tk. 7090 a kg yesterday. Winter vegetables have almost disappeared from the market. Only tomato was available for Tk. 5060 per kg, up from Tk. 2540 last week. Bitter gourds were being sold for Tk. 7085 a kg, sponge gourds for Tk. 6080, and pointed gourds and snake gourds for Tk. 7090. Eggplants were selling for Tk. 5060 a kg, bottle gourds for Tk. 4050 apiece, ladies finger Tk. 60-80 a kg, papaya Tk 35-45 and cucumber for Tk. 3040. Most of the vegetables and leafy greens showed a further hike in prices. Sweet pumpkins were selling for Tk. 5060 per piece, while cauliflowers and cabbages were selling for Tk. 5060 and Tk. 4560 per piece, respectively. Green chillies were being sold for Tk 6080 a kg. Potatoes were being sold for Tk. 2025 a kg. Besides, the price of beef went up by Tk. 30 per kg and that of mutton by Tk. 50. Beef was being sold for Tk. 520550, up from Tk. 500520 a week back. The price of mutton was Tk. 800850 a kg, which was Tk. 750-800 last week. Traders said the demand for beef and mutton has increased, but their supply has remained static. This has triggered the price hike, they claimed. Besides, fish prices went up significantly. Rohu was being sold for Tk .350600 per kg, tilapia for Tk. 150180, pangas for Tk. 170200, pabda for Tk. 600700, wallago attu for Tk. 600800 and catfish for Tk. 500600. Prices of different varieties of rice remained unchanged over the week.