Prices of essentials rise ahead of Ramadan

Within a week, prices of essentials, especially iftar and sehri items such as onions, all types of chicken, meat and local fish, rose sharply ahead of Ramadan.

On average, the increase ranged from 10 to 30 percent.

During visits to Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Mohammadpur Geneva Camp Kitchen Market, Farmgate, Shewrapara, Kazipara and Ibrahim Kitchen Market yesterday, The Daily Star found that prices varied from market to market.

Sojib Sheikh, proprietor of M/S Matribandar, a wholesale onion seller at Karwan Bazar, said onion prices increased by Tk 10 per kg within a week.

According to him, local onions are being sold at Tk 53 to Tk 56 per kg at wholesale rates, up from Tk 42 to Tk 46 a week ago.

In retail markets, onions are being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 70 per kg, up from Tk 50 to Tk 60 last week.

Demand for chicken has also increased in kitchen markets, pushing up prices.

Milon Hossain, a resident of East Rajabazar, visited the Farmgate roadside kitchen market yesterday evening. He bought Sonali chicken at Tk 340 per kg, which he had purchased at Tk 300 per kg last week.

Broiler chicken, which he bought at Tk 180 per kg a week ago, cost him Tk 200 per kg yesterday.

Hanif Miah, a chicken seller at Farmgate, said demand for chicken increases every year during Ramadan, and prices rise accordingly.

“This year is no exception. We are selling at higher prices because we had to buy at higher rates,” he said.

Prices of all meats have also increased in kitchen markets across the capital.

Mohammad Jalal, a mutton trader at Karwan Bazar, said mutton is being sold at Tk 1,300 per kg, up from Tk 1,250 a week ago.

He claimed the price rose due to high demand.

Beef prices have also increased by Tk 20 to Tk 50 per kg.

Mohammad Shakil, owner of Shakil Mangsho Bitan at Mohammadpur Geneva Camp Kitchen Market, said beef prices increased as the price of each cow rose by Tk 5,000 to 7,000 within two weeks due to high demand.

He has been selling beef at Tk 800 per kg, up from Tk 750.

Meanwhile, prices of iftar items such as lemons, green chillies, tomatoes, cucumbers and coriander leaves have also increased.

Four lemons are now being sold at Tk 80 to Tk 120, up from Tk 60 to Tk 100 last week. Green chillies are selling at Tk 180 to Tk 240 per kg, up from Tk 140 to Tk 180.

Tomatoes are being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 80 per kg, up from Tk 30 to Tk 60 last week. Brinjal is selling at Tk 80 to Tk 120 per kg, up from Tk 60 to Tk 80 a week ago.

Prices of cucumbers and coriander leaves have increased by Tk 20 to Tk 40 per kg.