Vermicelli sales are yet to get momentum due to low turnout in the different markets of the capital in the space of the last four days.
A visit to Moulvi Bazar, Begum Bazar, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate and Mohakhali this week no crowd of shoppers were seen at vermicelli shops in the markets.
Local traders said that the crowd of shoppers can be seen after 20th Ramadan every year but this year they are very upset to see the present situation on 24th Ramadan. They also said the grocers are yet to display different brands of vermicelli in bulk because of the low presence of customer and low demand.
Khandakar Anwar-ul-Islam, a retailer in Begum Bazar, said he showcased four brands of vermicelli only but he didn’t see any response from buyers.
“We used to see a lot of crowds after 20th Ramadan but this year we see the market is quite opposite— a very small number of customers. We expect the current bearish vermicelli market will be bullish after 25th Ramadan,” said Anwar.
It was found that some traders displayed unpacked shemai (vermicelli) in their stores for attracting customers. Some shops displayed different types of vermicelli including lachcha shemai and Bangla shemai on small scale but failed to pull a crowd.
Mohammed Manik Mia, another retailer in Begum Bazar, said that he was doing business well comparatively but this is not up to the mark.
“Bonoful lachcha and Bangla shemai are in high demand among the customers along with other brands. Most of the customers are checking on prices and asking about vermicelli brands. But they are not buying actually,” said Mohammed Manik Mia.
Another retailer of Karwan Bazar said packed vermicelli is sold out around the year but unpacked one isn’t. So, they have to sell those in this period of the year.
If remains unsold, this unpacked shemai will be damaged.
Two to three days before Eid-ul Fitr, they sell different brands of unpacked shemai, mixing colour as per the demand of customers.
A 200-gram vermicelli pack of different brands such as Banoful, ACI Pure lachcha shemai, Bangla shemai, Well Food lachcha shemai, Kishowan , Prince, Kulsun shemai , was found selling at Tk 35.
The unpacked lachcha shemai was being sold at Tk 140- Tk160 kg and Bangla shemai at Tk 60 per kg.
It was also found Indian Holdiram shemai in the market alongside Bangla shemai.
According to a wholesaler in Moulvi Bazar, their business is yet to gain full pace as they supply directly to retailers, who are complaining to have a dearth of potential customers in the markets.
Delwar Hossain, a consumer at Mohakhali Kitchen Market, has come for shopping but now he will not buy vermicelli right now.
“There are still six or seven days left before Eid and I will buy later. In the meantime, I am trying out different brands of vermicelli and checking on their prices,” Delwar said.
