Brand and non-brand companies of the country have yet again increased the prices of flour (atta and maida) after the prices remained stable for around two months.
In the past one week, the price of the country's second largest staple food has increased by Tk 5 per kg in the retail market. And it increased by Tk 10 per kg within two weeks. The price of packet flour has increased the most.
Recently, the prices of sugar and pulses have increased as well.
Imports and exports were disrupted when the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in February last year. Due to this, the price of wheat increased to a record amount. Under this influence, the price of atta rose to Tk 75 – Tk 80 per kg in December last year.
Maida is sold at a price of up to Tk 90 per kg.
However, since March this year, the prices of products in the international market started decreasing. But the price of flour in the country’s market started to decrease in August and September.
The prices of these products are now going up again.
Data from the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) show that in the middle of November, the price of packed atta was Tk 50 – Tk 60 per kg depending on the brand. After a 15-day gap, the price rose by Tk 10 per kg.
Packet atta was being sold for Tk 60 – Tk 65 per kg on Thursday at retail level.
Besides, the price of loose atta has increased by Tk 5 per kg, and is being sold at Tk 45 – Tk 50.
The price of maida has also increased like atta. A packet of maida is being sold for Tk 70 – Tk 80 per kg, which was Tk 60 – Tk 70 a kg two weeks ago.
Besides, loose maida is being sold for Tk 65 – Tk 70 a kg, which was Tk 55 – Tk 60 per kg two weeks ago.
Mostafizur Rahman, a shopkeeper of Segunbagicha kitchen market, said, “The price of atta and maida was stable for almost two months, now it is increasing again. The volume price has increased by 50 per cent in the last week.”
Sugar is being sold at Tk 140 – Tk 150 per kg and lentil is being sold at Tk105-140 per kg according to quality on Tuesday at retail.
However, the prices of vegetables and onions have decreased further this week. The prices of many vegetables including radish, gourd, green chili, coriander leaves and cauliflower have come down by Tk 5-10 per kg.
Local onions are being sold at Tk 110-120 per kg on Thursday, which was at Tk 120 – Tk 130 per kg one week ago. Potatoes are being sold at Tk 45 – Tk 50 per kg. Gourd is being sold for Tk 30 – Tk 40 per piece, it was at Tk 40 – Tk 50 per piece one week ago.
The price of green chili came down by Tk 20 – Tk 30 per kg within a week. It is being sold at Tk 60 – Tk 70 per kg, down from Tk 90 – Tk 100 per kg one week ago.
