No let-up in price hike of essentials

Rui was sold at Tk300 per kg two days back, but it was being sold at Tk330 per kg in the capital’s kitchen market on Friday, on the first day of Ramadan. Besides, the price of beef increased by Tk30 to Tk760 per kg from Tk730 three days back.

Not only fish and meat, but also the prices of dates, various vegetables and spices, eggs and some other essentials had increased on Friday compared to two or three days ago.

Customers say the prices of essential commodities have increased abnormally this year compared to last year. They are suffering a lot due to price hike of essentials before this Ramadan.

However, traders say the number of customers on the day before Ramadan was not even half of what it was in previous years. As the cost of living has gone up, people are not buying goods like previous years. They are buying as much as they need.

During visit to various kitchen markets in the capital on Friday, it was seen that there was not big crowd on the occasion of Ramadan. Sellers say people try to eat better during the fasting month than other times. That's why fish, meat and milk are their first choice. Besides, they buy fruits and vegetables in large quantity. But this year the markets saw lesser crowds on the day before the start of Ramadan.

On Thursday, beef was sold at Tk 750-800 per kg in different markets of the capital which was sold at Tk730-780 per kg three days ago. Eggs were sold at Tk46-48 four pieces which was Tk42-45 earlier.

Abdus Salam, a meat seller in the capital's Mugda market, said farmers rear animals for Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. “So, they are now selling less number of cows and goat. As the demand outstrips supply, the meat price has also increased,” he added.

Jahangir Alam, a fish trader in this market said, “I was able to sell rui for Tk300 per kg two days ago, but today I am not able to sell it for less than Tk 330 because I have to buy at higher price.”

In the market, small-sized rui was selling at Tk330-400 per kg, which was earlier Tk300-380 per kg. Big-sized rui was being sold at Tk550-600 per kg which was earlier Tk530-550 per kg.

The price of pangas also went up by Tk20 per kg while the price of shrimp increased by Tk50 per kg.

The prices of various vegetables, including brinjal, tomato, and lady’s finger, rose by Tk10-30 per kg. The price of brinjal has increased the most, selling at Tk80-100 per kg.

However, the prices of rice, pulses, oil and other commodities remain at previous high.

Mostafizur Rahman, trader at Segunbagicha market, said business is very bad during this time. Due to the increase in the prices of daily commodities, people are not able to buy many products at once. Besides, many do not buy goods only for Ramadan. Last year’s sales before Ramadan have come down to half this year, he added.

The prices of various fruits, including dates, have also increased in the market.

Abdul Alim, a buyer in Maniknagar market, said although he does not buy dates regularly, he was checking its price on the occasion of Ramadan. “Dates of Dhaba variety were sold for Tk300 per kg few days ago, but today I bought it for Tk350 per kg.”

The prices of some spices, including onion, garlic and ginger, also increased. Local onion was sold at Tk40-45 a kg, which was Tk35-40 few days ago. The price of ginger went up by Tk10-20 to Tk150-200 per kg.