CHATTOGRAM, Aug 25: Prices of commodities, including broiler, at kitchen markets in Chattogram are rising almost daily following recent floods and waterlogging.
Talking to the FE, buyers alleged that traders have taken a new policy of hiking prices of essentials after floods because of a shortage of goods.
Broiler chickens now sell at Tk 180-190 per kg. The price of local chicken is Tk 550 per kg while it was Tk 500 last week.
The price of sonali chicken is Tk 320 per kg while it was Tk 280-300 last week.
The price of coral fish is Tk 800-900 per kg, rohu Tk 450-500 and carp Tk 400-600 per kg depending on size.
On the other hand, hilsa sells at Tk 1,200-1,800 per kg, shrimp at Tk 800-1,200.
Overall, all types of fish have increased in price by Tk 50-100 per kg in the current week.
While visiting vegetable markets, the FE found that a kilogram of green chilly was selling at Tk 500-600 per kg which was Tk 400-450 last week.
Per-kilogram cucumber was selling at Tk 50-60 against last week's Tk 30-40.
On the other hand, beef was selling at Tk 850-900 per kg.
Flouting the price list of sugar, edible oil, gram, onion, brinjal, potato outside each shop, retailers were seen selling these items at higher rates.
On the other hand, the price of Indian onion is hiked at wholesale and retail markets here.
Onion at Khatunganj, Asadganj and Chaktai wholesale outlets was hiked by Tk 15-18 per kg last week.
On Thursday, the price of onion at wholesale markets was Tk 58-65 per kg which was Tk 75-78 at retail market.
Chaktai Khatunganj Merchants Welfare Association former president Solaiman Badsha said onion exporters have hiked the price last week due to recent floods in India. Even India has a shortage of onion.
"Moreover, recent waterlogging at Khatunganj and other wholesale business hubs in Bangladesh damaged imported essentials. The loss of the importers is massive. We have to re-import the items in high price."
"Losses of businessmen for waterlogging at Khatunganj and other wholesale business hubs are one of the prime causes of a hike in the prices of essentials now."
nazimuddinshyamol@gmail.com
