Within a week prices of most essential kitchen commodities have gone, including most spices despite government announcing a new price list to be effective from February 1. Trader said that such trend of increasing prices in advance is nothing new ahead of month of Ramandan.
On Friday while visiting different kitchen markets of the capital it was found that although the newly (increased) fixed prices of the commodities are supposed to be effective from first day of the next month but most of the traders were found selling the items at higher rates in advance.
From next February, the price of sugar per kg will increase by Taka five. One kg of refined lose (unpacked) sugar will be sold at Tk 107 and packaged sugar at Tk 112. But many traders have already started selling sugar at higher prices violating the scheduled price list announced by the government.
Not only sugar, the prices of spices including ginger, garlic and dry chillies are also very costly. Prices increased during the weekends. Per kg ginger is sold maximum at Tk 200. The price of garlic has also increased reaching Tk 180 from Tk 150. Even though there are local varieties of ginger-garlic at relatively lower prices in the markets, however, their demand is low.
Retail price of dry chilli, which used to be sold at Tk 100 to Tk 150 per kg, has reached maximum Tk 500. In addition to falling imports, the production crisis has led to record prices of the commodities.
Currently prices of dry chillies are fluctuating at a minimum of Tk 350 to Tk 500 per kg. Traders fear that prices may increase further if supply does not increase before the upcoming Ramadan.
The price of fine quality rice has increased as well in the markets two weeks ago. Fine quality miniket rice is being sold at Tk 68 to Tk 75 per kg depending on the supply. Medium quality BR28 is being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 62 per kg. Good quality Nazirshail rice is Tk 75 to 85 per kg. And coarse rice is Tk 54 to Tk 55 per kg.
Price of broiler chicken has increased by about Tk 10 per kg. There is no relief now, even in winter vegetables. Almost every vegetable is selling at higher prices. They have increased by at least Tk 5 to Tk 10 taka compared to the previous prices.
Even though the winter season is not over, the prices of seasonal vegetables are higher than normal in the markets. The reason for this is that the traders talk about the supply shortage, but in reality it was not noticed. Rather, the picture of adequate supply has been seen in most markets.
The price of broiler chicken has increased slightly and is being sold at Tk 155 to Tk 160 per kg from previous price of Tk 145 per kg.