Sharp rise in milk, spice prices

Prices of liquid milk and some spices marked a significant rise on Thursday, just a couple days ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr, as a section of traders and dealers were cashing in on the higher demand of the essentials.
Liquid milk of different brands has become dearer by nearly Tk 10 to 12 per litre at the city shops. Traders blamed supply shortage from the dealers' side for such price hike.
During visits to several shops in Rampura area, the FE correspondent observed that Milk Vita was being sold at Tk 72 per litre against its usual price of Tk 62 a litre, whereas Aarong milk was selling at Tk 80 against its normal rate of Tk 68.
Besides, half litre of Milk Vita sour curd is being sold at Tk 80 against its retail price of Tk 70.
The prices of some other items, like - almond nut, kaju nut, which have high demand during the Eid festival also increased under the excuse of supply crunch.
Sellers are charging Tk 160 for 100 gm of almond, which was sold at Tk 120 previously.
Dulal, a shop-owner, said because of the Eid festival they are forced to count extra money to collect all these items from the dealers. "So we are charging high prices from the customers."    
Meanwhile, Mahmuda, a housewife of Banasree area, said: "We can't prepare sweet food items or desserts for Eid-day without milk and pesta badam. So we are forced to purchase those at higher prices."