Rice, sugar, flour, pulse get pricier

The retail prices of several daily commodities, including rice, sugar, flour, and pulse, have increased compared to last week in the capital’s kitchen markets while a few items – broiler chicken, egg, and vegetables – have become cheaper.

Essential commodity prices have risen by Tk 2-10 per kg, with rice and pulse prices increasing the most.

On Thursday, fine rice was sold at Tk 60-72 per kg, up from Tk 58-68 per kg a week ago. Medium-quality rice was sold for Tk 52-60 per kg, up from Tk 46-56 per kg, while coarse rice was sold at Tk 48-50 per kg, up from Tk 45-48 per kg.

Alomgir Hossain, a retail rice trader at the Mailbagh market, said many wholesalers were increasing rice prices unethically, which stopped after mobile court operations in the last two days. “However, rice prices have not decreased yet.”

Local fine red lentil was sold at Tk 130-135 per kg, up from Tk 125-130 per kg. Anchor pulse prices increased by Tk 10 per kg, reaching Tk 60-70 per kg.

Sugar was sold for Tk 79-84 per kg, up from Tk 78-80 per kg. Flour (atta) was sold at Tk 46-50 per kg, up from Tk 42-45 per kg, while refined flour (maida) was sold at Tk 60-62 per kg, up from Tk 58-60 per kg.

Meanwhile, onion prices remained stable in both wholesale and retail markets. The essential kitchen item was sold at Tk 35-45 per kg. Imported garlic prices rose by Tk 10 per kg, selling at Tk 170-180 per kg.

According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh price index, the prices of 29 essential items increased round the week while that of 23 declined.

Egg prices came down a little. Farm red egg was sold at Tk 120 per dozen, down from Tk 125 per dozen a week ago. Broiler chicken was sold at Tk 140-150 per kg, which was Tk 150-160 per kg last week.

Although the prices of most vegetables fell compared, average prices were still Tk 50 per kg. The prices of okra, bitter gourd, yardlong bean, green chilli, and brinjal declined by up to Tk 10 per kg.

Md Alauddin, a trader at the Maniknagar vegetable market, said the demand for vegetables in the fruit season declines but supply increases.

“That is why vegetable prices are going down. But prices will increase again after June,” he added.