CHATTOGRAM, Mar 27: Despite the steps of the local administration and the authorities concerned to monitor the commodity market in Chattogram during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, prices of essentials at the kitchen markets are gradually rising.
Earlier, ahead of Ramadan, prices of five essential items - chickpeas, peas, soybean oil, palm oil and sugar - dropped a bit at wholesale business hubs in the port city.
Wholesalers then said that the prices at the retail market would come down soon, but there is no reflection of it in the city kitchen markets.
Meanwhile, the exorbitant hike in prices of daily commodities has left common people scratching their heads.
Talking with The Financial Express, the customers said the business people started to hike the prices of essentials from the first week of the current month.
They alleged that the traders have been increasing the prices of different commodities, including sugar, by Tk 1-5 per kilogram in phases - an apparently new trend to gradually enhance the prices.
During a visit to different kitchen markets in the port city this week, it was found that a kilogram of green chilli was selling at Tk 180-200, which was Tk 140-150 before the start of Ramadan.
Cucumber was selling at Tk 50-60 per kg and beef Tk 750-800 per kg, up from Tk 28-30 and Tk 700-750, respectively, before Ramadan.
The price of Miniket rice is now Tk 70-75 per kg, which was Tk 65-68 per kg in the first week of March. On the other hand, the price of medium quality rice is selling at Tk 55-60 per kg, up from Tk 50-55 per kg in the first week of March.
This week, the price of flour is Tk 78-80 per kg and soybean oil Tk 875-885 per five-litre bottle, whereas the prices of the products, respectively, were Tk 72 per kg and Tk 860 per five-litre bottle in the first week of March.
The price of ginger was Tk 90 per kg even in the last week - the price is now Tk 95-105 per kg.
In the meantime, the wholesale price of broiler chicken has decreased in Chattogram. But the birds are selling at Tk 250 per kg, which was Tk 220 a kg even in the last week.
The price of local chicken variety is Tk 640 per kg, up from Tk 550 per kg last week, while Sonali chicken is selling at Tk 350 per kg, which was Tk 300 per kg last week.
When it comes to fish, prices of all fish varieties have increased by Tk 80- 100 per kg after the start of Ramadan.
Coral fish is selling at Tk 900-1,000 per kg this week, up from Tk 800 per kg last week, and Ruho fish is selling at Tk 400 per kg, up from Tk 300 per kg last week.
Asked about the rising prices of essentials, retailers said they are not involved in the price hike - they are compelled to buy commodities at higher prices and are eventually selling them by making a small profit.
Meanwhile, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Chattogram district administration are conducting mobile courts almost every day during Ramadan to control the price situation.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
