The prices of beef, chicken and sugar increased further in Dhaka city ahead of the holy Shab-e-Barat to be observed on Sunday evening.
Beef price increased further by Tk 50 a kg as retailed at Tk 750-820 in different city areas on Friday.
On the other hand, broiler chicken price surged to Tk 220-230 a kg, marking a hike of Tk 10-15 a kg.
Meanwhile, Pakistani chicken witnessed a rise by Tk 30 a kg as was sold at Tk 360-380.
In another development, according to market sources, a confusing decision of the industries ministry over raising sugar price by state-run factories by Tk 20 a kg caused a sudden hike by Tk 5.0-10.
The Bangladesh Sugar and Foods Industries Corporation (BSFIC) issued a notification on Thursday morning that they were raising maximum retail price to Tk 160 a kg from Tk 140 a kg earlier.
Later on Thursday night, the ministry's public relations division told the media that they reviewed the decision and would not raise sugar prices before Ramadan.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said traders at Khatunganj in Chattogram and Moulvibazar in Dhaka could hardly hear their late-night announcement.
He claimed the prices of sugar were increased by Tk 300 per 50-kg sack on Thursday evening.
Monir Ali, a Rayerbazar grocer, told the FE that the wholesale price of sugar jumped to Tk 145 a kg from Tk 139 earlier.
He said they were retailing white sugar (imported) at Tk 155-160 a kg while red sugar (of state-owned factories) at Tk 170-175.
However, the wholesale price of onion showed a slight decline at Shyambazar on the day amid the Indian announcement to allow Bangladesh import 50,000 tonnes from there.
Md Kamal Hossain, a spice trader at Shyambazar, said prices cooled down by Tk 5.0-10 a kg across the country amid the declaration by the Indian government.
He said the local seasonal 'haali' onion would also hit the market within two weeks, adding: "Onion will be cheaper during Ramadan."
However, retail price of onion was still static maintaining its previous high of Tk 120 a kg.
According to value-chain expert Prof Dr Rashidul Hasan, state-run mills produce a tiny amount of sugar having no impact on the market.
However, their direct announcement to raise price by Tk 20 a kg in a day misguided or encouraged traders to lift prices, he said.
There was no coordination between commerce ministry and industries ministry in this regard, observed Dr Hasan.
He suggested that the government monitor market, calling for close coordination among agriculture, food, commerce and industries ministries to make the commodity market normal for millions of poor people.
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