Prices of essential commodities stable amid coronavirus scare

Prices of daily essentials in local markets have not been affected by the global coronavirus outbreak.

Visiting different kitchen markets in the capital, including Karwan Bazar, Malibagh, and Mirpur-2, The Independent found that prices of daily commodities were within the reach of common people.

In fact, the prices of onion and garlic dropped

sharply. In wholesale markets, local onions sold for Tk. 40–50 per kg, while the Myanmar variety went for Tk. 50–60, Chinese onions sold for Tk 45–55, Pakistani ones for Tk. 50–55 per kg, and Egyptian onions for Tk. 55–60.

The price of garlic has also fallen by Tk. 20 a kg in the last couple of days days owing to an increase in the supply of the local variety. Imported garlic was selling for Tk. 150–160 per kg yesterday, down from the earlier range of Tk. 170–180, while the local varieties were going for Tk. 80–100 per kg.

Vegetable prices have also shown a downward trend. Prices of gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, and beans remained stable. Bitter gourds were being sold for Tk. 120 per kg, while medium-sized gourds went for Tk. 50 a piece.

Sellers were asking for Tk. 50 for a kg of seasonal tomatoes. Cabbages and cauliflowers sold for Tk. 30–35, while eggplants were selling for Tk. 40–50 a kg.

Last week, the price of cucumber was Tk 30–35 a kg. But yesterday, it went down to Tk. 20–25 a kg. Papaya was selling for Tk. 30–40 a kg. Beans were being sold for Tk. 30–40 per kg. Carrots were selling for Tk. 20–30 a kg, down from last week’s Tk. 30–40 a kg. Moreover, radish and raw chillies have become cheaper.

All types of leafy vegetables too saw a decline in prices. Spinach was being sold for Tk. 10. Red and green leafy vegetables were selling for the same price. Bottle gourds were available for Tk. 20–30.

But edible cooking oils, fish, and some varieties of rice became costlier this week. Prices of pulses and loose edible oil increased further last week. The prices of pulses, mainly finer lentil, khesari, and moong bean (moog), increased by Tk. 10–20 per kg during the week.

Consumers said finer lentil, both local and imported Nepalese varieties, which were already dearer, witnessed a further price hike in the last seven days.

Traders claimed that the prices increased again due to a surge in import costs and a shortfall in the local output.

Finer lentil was sold for Tk. 110–125 (local variety) and Tk. 125–140 (Nepalese variety) a kg on Thursday, the last day of the week. Moog retailed at Tk. 135–155 a kg and khesari at Tk. 68–75, depending on the quality.

Rice prices also saw a rise. The prices increased by at least Tk. 2–3 per kg, depending on the variety.

Rice traders alleged that rice mill owners had increased the prices through syndication, although there was an adequate supply of paddy in the markets.

The price of loose soybean oil, which had shown a slight decline in February, has increased again. According to TCB data, the price increased to Tk. 92 per litre from last week’s Tk 88 per litre.

The price of broiler chicken remained stable over the week. The going rate was Tk. 120–130 per kg yesterday. Local varieties were selling for Tk. 450 per kg.

Beef was selling for Tk. 550–570 per kg yesterday, while mutton retailed at Tk. 750–800 per kg.

Farm egg prices, however, dropped to Tk. 90–100 per dozen, down from Tk 100–110 a month back.

 

Prices of essential commodities stable amid coronavirus scare

Prices of daily essentials in local markets have not been affected by the global coronavirus outbreak. Visiting different kitchen markets in the capital, includingKarwan Bazar, Malibagh, and Mirpur-2, The Independent found that prices of daily commodities were within the reach of common people. In fact, the prices of onion and garlic dropped sharply. In wholesale markets, local onions sold for Tk. 4050 per kg, while the Myanmar variety went for Tk. 5060, Chinese onions sold for Tk 4555, Pakistani ones for Tk. 5055 per kg, and Egyptian onions for Tk. 5560. The price of garlic has also fallen by Tk. 20 a kg in the last couple of days days owing to an increase in the supply of the local variety.Imported garlic was selling for Tk. 150160 per kg yesterday, down from the earlier range of Tk. 170180, while the local varieties were going for Tk. 80100 per kg. Vegetable prices have also shown a downward trend. Prices of gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, and beans remained stable. Bitter gourds were being sold for Tk. 120 per kg, while medium-sized gourds went for Tk. 50 a piece. Sellers were asking for Tk. 50 for a kg of seasonal tomatoes. Cabbages and cauliflowers sold for Tk. 3035, while eggplants were selling for Tk. 4050 a kg. Last week, the price of cucumber was Tk 3035 a kg. But yesterday, it went down to Tk. 2025 a kg. Papaya was selling for Tk. 3040 a kg. Beans were being sold for Tk. 3040 per kg. Carrots were selling for Tk. 2030 a kg, down from last weeks Tk. 3040 a kg. Moreover, radish and raw chillies have become cheaper. All types of leafy vegetables too saw a decline in prices. Spinach was being sold for Tk. 10. Red and green leafy vegetables were selling for the same price. Bottle gourds were available for Tk. 2030. But edible cooking oils, fish, and some varieties of rice became costlier this week.Prices of pulses and loose edible oil increased further last week.The prices of pulses, mainly finer lentil, khesari, and moong bean (moog), increased by Tk. 1020 per kg during the week. Consumers said finer lentil, both local and imported Nepalese varieties, which were already dearer, witnessed a further price hike in the last seven days. Traders claimed that the prices increased again due to a surge in import costs and a shortfall in the local output. Finer lentil was sold for Tk. 110125 (local variety) and Tk. 125140 (Nepalese variety) a kg on Thursday, the last day of the week. Moog retailed at Tk. 135155 a kg and khesari at Tk. 6875, depending on the quality. Rice prices also saw a rise. The prices increased by at least Tk. 23 per kg, depending on the variety. Rice traders alleged that rice mill owners had increased the prices through syndication, although there was an adequate supply of paddy in the markets. The price of loose soybean oil, which had showna slight decline in February, has increased again. According to TCB data, the price increased to Tk. 92 per litre from last weeks Tk 88 per litre. The price of broiler chicken remained stable over the week. The going rate was Tk. 120130 per kg yesterday. Local varieties were selling for Tk. 450 per kg. Beef was selling for Tk. 550570 per kg yesterday, while mutton retailed at Tk. 750800 per kg. Farm egg prices, however, dropped to Tk. 90100 per dozen, down from Tk 100110 a month back.