Despite the government’s efforts to control prices, Bangladeshi kitchen markets have not yet seen relief. The Directorate of Agriculture Marketing (DAM) set prices for 29 essential items on March 15th. However, five days later (Wednesday), many products’ prices continue to rise.
The directorate has also not been conducting necessary market supervision. Hence, even if other government entities conduct their own supervision, they cannot implement fixed prices.
Questions have been raised by wholesalers and retailers regarding the rationality of price fixing, as they state that the prices of 29 products were fixed suddenly without any discussion involving them. This added fuel to the ongoing fire, creating confusion amid the controversy.
Alleging suffering, the shop owners of the kitchen markets in Dhaka also demanded the withdrawal of the price fixing.
Even though the prices of various products have been red-hot since the start of the holy month of Ramadan, new instability has risen due to this mishap. The buyers are fuming because the market situation is not improving despite the government's warnings, raids, and imports of goods, and the market stakeholders are upset due to the unwarranted price fixing.
Price situation
The Directorate of Agriculture Marketing set reasonable prices for 29 products, including meat, fish, chickens, eggs, spices and vegetables, under the provision of section 4 (i) of the Agricultural Marketing Act 2018 in the government’s bid to grips the price hikes.
However, the sellers are making sales as they wish without taking the instructions into account.
On Wednesday, a visit to Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market and Town Hall Market in Dhaka revealed that although broiler chicken’s price was set at Tk 175.30 per kg, it was being sold at Tk 220 per kg, beef is being sold at Tk 750-800 per kg instead of Tk 664.39 as per the directive. Local garlic is being sold at Tk 160 per kg instead of Tk 120.81 per kg, imported ginger is being sold at Tk 220 instead of Tk 180.20, and dry chillies are being sold at Tk 450 instead of Tk 327.34 per kg.
At the retail level, the price of Brinjal has been fixed at Tk 49.75 by the DAM. But, buyers still have to pay Tk 60-70 per kg.
The price of potatoes is increasing day by day as well. According to government guidelines, retail-level prices are set at Tk 28.55 per kg. However, they are being sold at Tk 40-45 per kg, which were sold at Tk30-35 per kg earlier last week.
The price of flattened rice was set at Tk 60 per kg, but buyers are paying Tk 20 more per kg at retail.
According to the price list drawn on the shops in the capital's Karwan Bazar, broiler chickens are sold at Tk 210 per kg. However, DAM has fixed the retail-level maximum reasonable price at Tk 175 per kg. The cost of Sonali chicken has been set at Tk 262 per kg, and it is being sold at Tk 320-330 per kg. A point to note: Karwan Bazar market is one of the most affordable markets in Dhaka.
The Directorate of Agricultural Marketing itself has stated that the 29 products, saving eggs and local onions, are being sold at higher prices.
Director General of Agriculture Marketing Department Masud Karim said, “Our main limitation is manpower shortage. We have no judicial power of our own. As a result, we cannot enter the market at will.”
“The organisation has 500 people across the country, and they have been instructed to be present at the market,” he added.
President of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Helal Uddin said, “The price list of Agriculture Marketing Department and the TCB is not compatible. Because of this decision, a severe product shortage may occur in the market.”
He termed the price fixing notification 'reckless' and demanded its cancellation. He commented, "We demand that the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing arrange sales at the fixed price at the retail level under its own management."
However, the Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection (DNCRP) Director-General Md Shofiquzzaman said that DAM did not consult the DNCRP or any other relevant agencies before issuing the notification on Friday.
