Prices of essentials soar ahead of Ramzan

Prices of a number of essential commodities have increased recently ahead of Ramzan, beginning tomorrow.
Though prices of some items remain stable in the last couple of days, it is alleged that prices of those items were increased by the wholesalers two weeks ago so that they could avoid the wrath of the market monitoring authorities. However, brinjals became the focus of the kitchen markets in the capital yesterday as the prices of different varieties of brinjals, one of the most loved items on the iftar plate during Ramzan, has soared by 100 per cent in the last two days.
The Bengali delicacy ‘beguni’, a slice of brinjal fried after coating with ‘besan’ (lentil powder), is almost a mandatory dish for the fasting people across the country.
As ‘beguni’ is widely consumed during the holy month, its prices shoot up every year under the pretext of short supply.  
But many allege that the traders create an artificial shortage of supply to raise prices during the holy month, and rake in huge profits.
A visit to the grocery market at Karwan Bazar shows that the price of round brinjals has soared to Tk 80–90 per kg. It was Tk 45–50 on Monday.
The long brinjals are also selling between Tk 90–100, from Tk 50 only two days ago.
Retailers say that the price of brinjals was low last week but over the last two days it has soared because it is in short supply and the holy month of Ramazan is also knocking on the door.
They do not deny apprehensions that the price of brinjals could rise further during the holy month.
With the price of brinjals skyrocketing, it will become difficult for the masses to break their roza with ‘beguni’. Eating this simple traditional dish even once a day, will dent the budgets of the people this Ramazan.
At Malibagh, Shantinagar and Rampura kitchen markets, chickpeas of varying qualities are selling at Tk 62-Tk 67 per kg while different qualities of lentils at Tk 85-Tk 120 per kg, sugar at Tk 40-Tk 45 per kg; edible oil at Tk 95-Tk 100 per litre.
Garlic is selling at Tk 110 per kg (local) which was Tk 10 less two weeks ago. Ginger price hit Tk 148-Tk 150 per kg, hiked by Tk 8-Tk 10 compared to the price of the last month.
There has been a noticeable rise in the prices of beef and goat meat, as goat meat is selling at Tk 500-Tk 550 per kg while beef at Tk370-Tk 390 a kg.
No fish except Telapia, Pangash and Koi is selling under Tk 200.  Telapia is selling at Tk 145-Tk 165 per kg, while Ruhi at Tk 250-Tk 350, Katla at 300-Tk 450 and Pangsha at Tk 160-Tk 180.
Almost all kinds of vegetables are selling from Tk 20 to Tk 40, though the price of Ramadan specialty aubergine has been hiked by Tk 15 and selling at Tk 50 in the kitchen markets over the last couple of days.The prices of rice, edible oil, sugar, wheat, eggs, and vegetables remained stable unlike that of meat which has already been overheated.

 

 

Prices of essentials soar ahead of Ramzan

Prices of a number of essential commodities have increased recently ahead of Ramzan, beginning tomorrow. Though prices of some items remain stable in the last couple of days, it is alleged that prices of those items were increased by the wholesalers two weeks ago so that they could avoid the wrath of the market monitoring authorities. However, brinjals became the focus of the kitchen markets in the capital yesterday as the prices of different varieties of brinjals, one of the most loved items on the iftar plate during Ramzan, has soared by 100 per cent in the last two days. The Bengali delicacy beguni, a slice of brinjal fried after coating with besan (lentil powder), is almost a mandatory dish for the fasting people across the country. As beguni is widely consumed during the holy month, its prices shoot up every year under the pretext of short supply. But many allege that the traders create an artificial shortage of supply to raise prices during the holy month, and rake in huge profits. A visit to the grocery market at Karwan Bazar shows that the price of round brinjals has soared to Tk 8090 per kg. It was Tk 4550 on Monday. The long brinjals are also selling between Tk 90100, from Tk 50 only two days ago. Retailers say that the price of brinjals was low last week but over the last two days it has soared because it is in short supply and the holy month of Ramazan is also knocking on the door. They do not deny apprehensions that the price of brinjals could rise further during the holy month. With the price of brinjals skyrocketing, it will become difficult for the masses to break their roza with beguni. Eating this simple traditional dish even once a day, will dent the budgets of the people this Ramazan. At Malibagh, Shantinagar and Rampura kitchen markets, chickpeas of varying qualities are selling at Tk 62-Tk 67 per kg while different qualities of lentils at Tk 85-Tk 120 per kg, sugar at Tk 40-Tk 45 per kg; edible oil at Tk 95-Tk 100 per litre. Garlic is selling at Tk 110 per kg (local) which was Tk 10 less two weeks ago. Ginger price hit Tk 148-Tk 150 per kg, hiked by Tk 8-Tk 10 compared to the price of the last month. There has been a noticeable rise in the prices of beef and goat meat, as goat meat is selling at Tk 500-Tk 550 per kg while beef at Tk370-Tk 390 a kg. No fish except Telapia, Pangash and Koi is selling under Tk 200. Telapia is selling at Tk 145-Tk 165 per kg, while Ruhi at Tk 250-Tk 350, Katla at 300-Tk 450 and Pangsha at Tk 160-Tk 180. Almost all kinds of vegetables are selling from Tk 20 to Tk 40, though the price of Ramadan specialty aubergine has been hiked by Tk 15 and selling at Tk 50 in the kitchen markets over the last couple of days.The prices of rice, edible oil, sugar, wheat, eggs, and vegetables remained stable unlike that of meat which has already been overheated.