Spices dearer in local markets

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FE Report
Prices of spices have soared in the local markets ahead of the Eid-ul Fitr festival.
Market operators said spices have become expensive as their prices have gone up in the international markets and local transportation cost has risen.
"Since the weather condition of Bangladesh is not in favour of spice cultivation, the country is totally dependent on import of the items. Recently, the freight charges also increased tremendously affecting the price level of the spice items in the local markets," said Safayet Ullah, an importer of spice, at the city's Moulvi Bazar.
He said mainly traders import different varieties of spices from China, Pakistan, India, Guatemala, Iran, Syria, Turkey, Vietnam and Zanzibar.
Traders said at the wholesale level cardamom was selling at Tk 650-Tk 700 per kg compared with its last year's price at Tk 350-Tk 500 per kg.
Cinnamon was selling at Tk 310-Tk 320 per kg compared with its previous rates at Tk 120-Tk130 per kg.
Cumin Seeds was selling at Tk 310-Tk 320 per kg against Tk 170-Tk 190 previously.
Clove was selling at Tk 380-Tk 400 per kg compared with its previous rates at Tk 300, Raisin at Tk 130-Tk200 per kg against Tk 120-Tk160 and Jaifal at Tk 320 per kg compared with its previous rate at Tk 300 per kg, traders said.
Pesta was selling at Tk 800 per kg while Jatrik was selling at Tk 720 per kg, traders said.
At the retail level, some major spice items, including cardamom was selling at Tk 900-1000 per kg, cinnamon at Tk 500-700 per kg, cumin Seeds at Tk 500-600 per kg and clove at Tk 700-800 per kg, traders said.