Prices of Ramadan essentials rise

The prices of ginger, red lentil, sugar, onions, broiler chicken, gram and some of the vegetables went up in the city’s kitchen markets over the week ending Friday before Ramadan, the fasting month for the Muslims.

During Ramadan which begins today, the demand for the items increases.

The prices of imported ginger increased by nearly 200 per cent while its local variety by more than 150 per cent in the last two weeks in the city markets.

Although commerce minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday held a meeting with the government agencies and businesses of essential commodities and warned of legal action against the traders who would increase the pieces of essentials unnecessarily, the prices of Ramadan essentials continued to rise.

Retailers blamed the wholesalers for the increase in the prices of ginger, red lentil, onions, gram and sugar.

They also said that the prices of broiler chicken and some of the vegetables including aubergine and cucumber went up as the demand for the items increased during Ramadan.

Wholesalers said that the prices of some of the essentials went up due to a supply chain disruption amid the general holidays announced by the government to combat the spread of coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Imported ginger was selling for Tk 300-360 a kilogram while its local variety was retailing at Tk 280-300 a kg in the city markets on Friday.

The prices of onions increased by Tk 5 a kg and the item was selling for Tk 55-65 a kg over the week ending Friday.

The prices of red lentil increased by Tk 10-15 a kg and its coarse variety was selling for Tk 80-90 a kg while the medium-quality variety was selling for Tk 100-110 a kg.

The fine variety of red lentil was selling for Tk 120-130 a kg in the city markets on Friday.

The prices of sugar increased by Tk 5 a kg and the refined sugar was selling for Tk 70-75 a kg, while the locally produced sugar was retailing at Tk 70 a kg in the city markets.

The price of broiler chicken increased by Tk 10 a kg over the week and the item was selling for Tk 120-130 a kg in the city markets on Friday. The locally bred hens were selling for Tk 500 a kg.

The prices of aubergine, cucumber and carrot increased by Tk 20 a kg and the prices of the other vegetables    remained stable over the week.

Aubergine was selling for Tk 60-65 a kg, papaya for Tk 35-40 a kg, bitter gourds for Tk 40-50 a kg, okra for Tk 40-50 a kg, bottle gourds for Tk 30-40 apiece, cucumber for Tk 30-50 a kg, carrot for Tk 50 a kg and tomatoes for Tk 40-50 a kg on Friday.

Green chilli was selling for Tk 60-80 a kg on the day.

The prices of gram increased by Tk 5 a kg and the item was selling for Tk 80-90 a kg on the day.

The prices of garlic remained unchanged over the week and the imported garlic was selling for Tk 150-160 a kg on Friday while the local variety was selling for Tk 120-130 a kg on the day.

The prices of rice remained high over the week.

The standard variety of BR-28 rice was selling for Tk 48-50 a kg and the fine variety for Tk 50-55 a kg in the capital on Friday.

The fine variety of Miniket rice was selling for Tk 62-65 a kg in the city markets on the day.

The fine variety of Najirshail rice was retailing at Tk 62-68 a kg and its standard variety at Tk 60 a kg.

The prices of potatoes remained unchanged and the item was selling for Tk 25 a kg in the city markets on Friday.

Unpacked soya bean oil was selling for Tk 94-97 a litre and palm oil was selling for Tk 86 a litre in the city markets on Friday.

The price of bottled soya bean oil (a one-litre container) was selling for Tk 110-115 while a five-litre container was selling for Tk 490-530 in the city markets.

The price of beef remained high and the item was selling for Tk 580-620 a kg while mutton was selling for Tk 750-800 a kg on Friday in the city markets.

Red chilli was selling for Tk 260-300 a kg in the city markets. Turmeric was selling for Tk 160-260 a kg on Friday.

The prices of fish remained high in the city markets over the week.

Rohita was selling for Tk 250-350 a kg and Katla for Tk 250-350 a kg, depending on their size and quality.

Pangas was selling for Tk 130-180 a kg and Tilapia for Tk 120-160 a kg.

The price of eggs remained unchanged and the item was selling for Tk 28-30 a hali (four pieces) on Friday.

Fine-quality packaged salt was selling for Tk 35 a kg, while the refined variety of salt was retailing at Tk 25 a kg.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net