Spices go costlier

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A housewife is seen busy purchasing spices for her special Eid day cooking at a store in the city Friday. — FE Photo

Naim-Ul-Karim
Prices of a variety of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom and cumin seed have skyrocketed in the city markets ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha, market operators said.
They said prices of the spices have soared by upto Tk 100 per kg from the level recorded just a month ago.
Prices of imported spices, including cinnamon, raisin, cardamom and clove rose in the last few days, a trader said.
The trader blamed wholesalers for the hike in the prices by Tk 50 to Tk 150 saying this has become a common trend ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha every year.
During the last one week, cinnamon, cardamom and raisin were selling at Tk 300, Tk 600 and Tk 400 per kg in the city markets from their previous prices Tk 200, Tk 500 and Tk 300 per kg respectively a month ago.
Besides, prices of some other spices including clove, cumin seed and coriander seed have increased by Tk 60-Tk 100 and are selling at Tk 400, Tk 150 and Tk 700 per kg.
Market operators said prices of locally produced spices including, garlic, ginger, turmeric and chilli, with exception of onion, have also gone up to some extent.
Traders said prices of onion have declined sharply after imports from India and China. Indian and Chinese onion was selling at Tk 25-Tk 26 per kg and Tk 27-Tk 28 per kg respectively against their previous prices at Tk 40-Tk 45 per kg two weeks ago in the city markets.
They said prices of local onion came down to Tk 45-Tk 50 per kg from Tk 66-68 two weeks ago.
When asked, a wholesaler in the city said prices of spices have gone up as their prices have risen in the international market.