Home ›› 05 Jun 2022 ›› Front
Prices of non-food items are rising in tandem with those of food items across the country’s market.
Rice, pulses, oil, and sugar prices have been increasing for some time. And now, the prices of powdered milk, spices, and a variety of other items have also risen.
At the same time, prices for almost all daily necessary items are rising, including health care, personal care, stationery, as well as essential cosmetics.
As things stand, retail sales have dropped by 25-30 per cent, according to vendors.
Rice, sugar, pulse
Even in the peak Boro season, the price of rice has gone up by Tk 4 per kg in the last week.
Rice of good quality, which was sold for Tk 68 per kg a week ago, is now Tk 72 per kg. The price of medium quality rice, which was previously Tk 56, has risen to Tk 60, and the rice that was Tk 48 per kg has risen to Tk 50 per kg.
Sugar prices have risen by Tk 4 per kg in the last week, to Tk 84. Some pulses, such as masur and anchor, have seen a price increase of Tk 5-10 per kg. Although the price of edible oil has decreased on the international market, it has not yet decreased in the domestic market.
Milk
The price of liquid milk has risen by Tk 10 in the last two weeks, and it now costs Tk 80-85 per litre. The most recent increase is the state-owned Milkvita milk, which is now sold at Tk 80 per litre, a Tk 10 increase.
The price of powdered milk has risen by Tk 30-40 per kg in the last month. And in two months, it has increased by about Tk 100. Two months ago, one kilogram of milk cost between Tk 650-660, depending on the brand. It is now Tk 700 per kg.
Spice
Powdered spices are becoming more expensive in the run-up to Eid-ul-Azha. The cost of 200 grams of turmeric powder varied between Tk 120-125 depending on the brand, up from Tk 90-95.
The same amount of chilli powder used to cost Tk 100, but now it costs Tk 130. Coriander powder used to cost Tk 30, but now it costs Tk 35.
Soap, detergent
The price of almost all brands of beauty soaps, including Lux, Lifebuoy, Sandalina, Savlon, and Dettol has increased.
A 100-gram beauty soap could be purchased for Tk 32-40 just a few months ago, but it now costs Tk 45-52.
The price of a kilogram of wheel brand powdered soap in the market used to be Tk 90, but it has now risen to Tk 100. Similarly, the price of 500 grams of Surf Excel went from Tk 92 to Tk 110.
Personal Care
Personal care products have also seen a slight increase in price. Previously, a pack of blades used to cost Tk 15, but now it costs Tk 20. A branded razor was Tk 400 a month ago, but it’s now Tk 425.
Stationery
Almost all stationery products, such as notebooks, pens, and printer paper, are also increasing in price. A notebook with 300 pages, which used to be sold for Tk 75-80 a month ago, is now being sold for Tk 90 in the capital’s markets. A dozen pens used to cost Tk 48, but now they cost Tk 55.
What vendor say
Mostafizur Rahman, a vendor at the Segunbagicha kitchen market, said, “Almost every commodity has seen an increase in price. Suppliers have also hinted at raising prices for those who have not seen their prices rise. Due to rising prices, our sales have dropped by 30 per cent. Many of my customers have never purchased a food item weighing less than a kilogram. Many of them are now purchasing at the 250-gram and 500-gram levels.”
A customer’s ordeal
Asma Alam, a customer at the Segunbagicha market, said, “Every day, the vendors inform us about the increase in the price of one product or the other. I can’t complete my shopping with the money I bring when I come to the market. The cost of living is increasing day by day. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to adjust to the rising cost of living.
