With Ramadan barely more than a week away, prices of onion, garlic and eggplant have soared in the capital’s kitchen market.

Wholesalers of onion put the blame on storage shortage and heavy downpour. However, consumers were not ready to buy that logic.

“It’s expected that the prices of onion and eggplant would skyrocket before and during Ramadan,” said a buyer at Karwan Bazar.

However, prices of other essentials have remained mostly the same as of now.

Local onion was being sold for Tk 45 per kg and imported onion for Tk 34 in Karwan Bazar yesterday. Only a week ago, the prices of local onion and the imported variety were Tk 30-34 and Tk 24-30 a kg, respectively.

Local garlic was being sold between Tk70 and Tk 80 per kg, up from last week's price by Tk 20.

The imported Chinese variety was being sold for Tk 120 a kg against previous week's Tk 80.

Traders blamed the nor'westers across the country over the past few days for the price hike.

Some traders of other markets said the supply of local onions has been adequate. “Indian onions are also available. As a result, the supply of both local and imported onions has went up. Owing to the increase in the supply, the prices have slumped,” they said.

However, while visiting other markets including Karwan Bazar, this correspondent saw the price of eggplants, which had been sold at Tk30-40 a kg last week, almost doubled to Tk 60-70.

Spiny gourd was being sold at the same price.

Buyers have expressed concern over the price rise. One buyer said: “We've accepted the hike in prices. But there is no regulatory body to control these prices. The government must monitor the market and take steps to control the prices to prevent them from spiralling beyond our reach.”

Although the prices of papaya, eggplants and spiny gourd were high, prices of some other vegetables were normal. Cucumbers were selling for Tk20–25 a kg and carrots for Tk 40.

The price of a small-sized pumpkin was Tk 25–30.

Red spinach, green spinach and leafy vegetables were selling for Tk 5–10 in keeping with the last week's prices.

The prices of eggs, beef and mutton remained unchanged. Eggs were being sold for Tk 80 a dozen.

However, the price of eggs of domestic chicken soared. Chicken was being sold at Tk135-140 a kg, which was Tk160 last week.

The price of sugar in the wholesale market increased last week and its impact was felt in the retail market.

Prices of fish were not uncomfortably high. Ruhi was sold for Tk 250-260 a kg, tilapia for Tk 130 and katla for Tk 260.