RAJSHAHI, Apr 29: Even couples of week before starting of the holy month of Ramadan, prices of all essentials registered rise in the markets of Rajshahi. The prices of the vegetables, spice and meat like brinjal (egg plant), onion, garlic, chicken and fish have registered an abnormal rise during the recent week.
The price of local variety of onion and garlic registered a rise of Tk 12 to Tk 20 per kg respectively in compared to last week's price. The local variety of onion is being sold at Tk 35 to Tk 40 per kg which was Tk 25 last week and the local variety of garlic now being sold at Tk 55 as against Tk 35 per kg previous week.
The price of all kinds of vegetables was seen to rise. The brinjal which was being sold at Tk 50 per kg last week was being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 70 this week. Moreover, the Sajina which was being sold at Tk 50 to Tk 60 last week is now being sold at Tk 80 to Tk 100 per kg. Other vegetables like tomato is being sold at Tk 25 as against Tk 20, bitter gourd was being sold at Tk 35 now stands at Tk 40, teasel gourd price rises to Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kg and carrot from Tk 25 to Tk 30.
Harun ur Rashid, a wholesale trader in Masterpara vegetable market in the city, said prices of all sort of vegetables has registered a rise ahead of the month of Ramadan. He added, the supply of winter vegetables is now nearing end and summer vegetables are entering the markets. However, he mentioned, the price of vegetables and spices would further rise with the approaching of Ramadan.
Anowar Hossain, a consumer of Shaheb Bazar area, said prices of all sorts of vegetable have been increased as against the price of last week. Though the Ramadan is yet two weeks ahead, the market price has already been started to rise.
Prices of all sorts of fine rice were also seen to rise this week. Aromatic rice was being sold at Tk 75 to Tk 80 last week whereas it is now being sold at Tk 85 to Tk 90 per kg. Minicate is being sold at Tk 60, Jirashail at Tk 56 and Paijam is being sold at Tk 46 per kg.
The price of varieties of chicken also registered a substantial rise this week.
The price of chicken has also been increased in the city markets. The beef price, however, remained stable for last two weeks. Sonali chicken which was being sold at Tk 220 last week is now selling at Tk 240, the broiler price was Tk 125 last week which now sells at Tk135 and the cockerel being sold at Tk160 as against Tk 150 per kg last week.
Fish prices are remained stable for last fortnight. Ruhi fish was being sold from Tk 220 to Tk 280, katla at Tk 250 to Tk 300, grass carp at Tk 150 to Tk 180, shrimp at Tk 560 to Tk 600, catfish at Tk 600 to Tk 700 per kg while varieties of small fishes are being sold at Tk 200 to Tk 280 per kg.
Fish trader Hasan said there was no shortage of supply of carp fish varieties. However, the fish price is likely to increase during the coming Ramadan because many people prefer to eat fish instead of meat during Ramadan, he added.
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