Prices of some essentials overheated ahead of Ramadan

Despite assurance by the authorities concerned that there will be no price hike ahead of Ramadan, the prices of a good number of essential items have been soaring at the retailer levels in Dhaka city since the first week of June. Visiting several kitchen markets in the city, this correspondent witnessed that retailers charging exorbitant prices for poultry birds (broiler, Pakistani cock and local), lentils, onion, ginger and different spices and dates. The prices of chickpea, lentil, onion, garlic, ginger, spices and date, which are largely consumed during the holy month of Ramadan, have increased by Tk5- Tk10 per kilogram (kg) since the uptrend began ahead of holy Shab-e-Barat earlier this month. Broiler (farm hen) and local (deshi murgi) were selling on Tuesday at retail shops in Kaptan Bazar, Jatrabari, Mohammadpur and Karwan Bazar from Tk165 to Tk170 per kg. The prices of the poultry birds were from Tk145 to Tk155 on May 30. Prices of local and Pakistani cocks have also been on the rice since June 1. Retailers were charging Tk140 for a single Pakistani cock in Karwan Bazar on June 1 which has risen to Tk 150 (per piece) on Wednesday morning. When visiting Malibagh, Shantinagar and Rampura kitchen markets, chickpeas of varying qualities are selling at Tk 62-Tk 67 per kg on Wednesday while different qualities of lentils at Tk 85-Tk 120 per kg, sugar at Tk 40-Tk 42 per kg; edible oil at Tk 95-Tk 100 per litre. Onion price has increased by Tk 5-Tk 10 over the last two weeks. Now it is selling at Tk 48-Tk 55 (local) and Tk 43-Tk 45 (Indian). Garlic is selling at Tk 110 per kg (local) which was Tk 10 less 14 days ago. Ginger price hit Tk 148-Tk 150 per kg, hiked by Tk 8-Tk 10 compared to the price of the last month. There has been a noticeable rise in the prices of beef and mutton (goat meat) too, as goat meat is selling at Tk 500-Tk 550 per kg while beef at Tk370-Tk 390 a kg. According to butcher shops, the beef price is totally out of their control as the supply of cows from the neighbouring India has dicreased substantially in recent times. However, the prices of rice and vegetables remained more or less stable, according to a news agency.