Prices of some protein items witnessed a decline in last seven days further while staple grain rice and wheat flour became pricier during the period.
Prices of coarse flour or atta, finer flour or maida further increased by Tk4.0-7.0 a kg in a week augmenting woes of the commoners.
Loose atta sold at Tk48-54 and branded packet atta at Tk63-65 a kg.
Loose maida retailed at Tk 65-72 a kg while packed maida at Tk72-75 a kg.
Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) found a 10-12 per cent surge in flour price during the period.
Meanwhile, prices of medium varieties of rice like 'BRRI dhan 28', Swarna-5, Paijam increased to Tk 58-65 a kg in the retail market, according to groceries.
A drop in beef prices by 15-20 per cent across the country directly helped ease prices of eggs, chicken and fish further.
Beef prices declined further last week by Tk40-50 a kg amid stiff competition among traders for bigger sales.
Most of the city meat traders sold beef at Tk 600 a kg on Saturday while it was available at Tk550 a kg in few places.
Every meat shop was selling beef where all parts of a cattle are being mixed.
Only a few traditional traders were found selling beef at Tk 700 a kg maintaining a balance of meat and bone.
Rabiul Alam, secretary of Bangladesh Meat Traders Association, said a competition is now going on among traders who could sell meat at the cheapest.
And for this, all are compromising to quality, consumers are getting maximum 50 per cent of meat while rests are bones, fat and unnecessary items, he said.
However, the cheaper beef has put a positive impact on other protein items.
Prices of broiler chicken cooled down to Tk155-165, Pakistani chicken to Tk270-290-by Tk 10-20 a kg in a week and Tk 20-50 a kg in two weeks.
Cultured ruhi and katla retailed at Tk 280-400 a kg based on size which were Tk 300-450 a kg a week back, according to the TCB.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said it is positive that the protein items have witnessed a notable decline in prices.
"But the growing prices of flour seemed illogical when global prices of wheat have shown a record decline in last six months" he said.
He said wheat prices are now US $240-250 a tonne marking 30 per cent decline in a year.
The government should take immediate measure against the big wheat importers and flour milling companies to maintain check and balance in the second staple market, he said.
He also said a hike in rice prices during this peak Aman harvesting season is also a mystery to him.
CAB secretary urged the government for immediate scrutiny in the grain market to give the consumers a relief.
However, eggs prices declined to Tk 9.5-10 a piece, a two-year low.
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