The prices of lemon, cucumber, and brinjal witnessed fresh hikes in the capital on Wednesday, a day before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, intensifying the pressure on consumers already coping with high living costs.
During visits to several kitchen markets, including in Mohammadpur, Adabar, and West Dhanmondi, it was found that traders had raised the prices of the vegetables that would be in great demand during Ramadan, particularly for iftar preparations.
Lemons were being sold between Tk 100 and Tk 140 per hali (four pieces), depending on size and quality.
In some cases, large lemons were priced as high as Tk 150 per hali.
Anwar Hossain Mridha, a vegetable trader at the Mohammadpur-Beribadh area, said prices had increased within the span of a few days as demand surged ahead of Ramadan, while winter production was usually lower.
Cucumber and brinjal, both widely used in preparing iftar, including salads and fried items, were selling at Tk 100 to Tk 140 per kg.
Just a day earlier, the same items were available at Tk 80-110 a kg, and a week back at Tk 60-80 a kg, at retail.
The prices of dates, an essential item for breaking the fast, started from Tk 350 per kg, while the better varieties were priced from Tk 600 to Tk 2,000 a kg, marking Tk 50-250 a kg hike in a week.
Papaya and other seasonal fruits also recorded a rise of Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kg over the past week, traders said.
Watermelon, a popular fruit during Ramadan, was being sold at Tk 70 to Tk 90 per kg as early varieties entered the market.
Imported fruits like apple, orange, and grape witnessed Tk 50-100 a kg fresh hikes just before the fasting month.
Apples of various varieties were sold at Tk 400-500 a kg.
Grapes were available at Tk 550-650 a kg and oranges at Tk 350-400 a kg.
Meanwhile, the prices of onions, garlic, and ginger also increased in a week.
Onions were sold at Tk 60-80 a kg, ginger at Tk 180-200 a kg, and garlic (imported) at Tk 220-240 a kg, marking Tk 10-20 a kg hike.
Beef, as well as broiler, Pakistani, and Sonali chicken, prices increased a week back, maintaining a static trend on Wednesday.
Beef was sold at Tk 800-850 a kg and broiler at Tk 210-220 a kg, maintaining previous highs.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh Vice President SM Nazer Hossain stressed the need for effective market monitoring to prevent unreasonable price manipulation during the fasting month.
He also emphasised ensuring smooth supply, urging the new government to ramp up market monitoring vastly.
tonmoy.wardad@gmail.com
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