CHATTOGRAM, Mar 09: There will not be any shortage of essential commodities in the coming fasting month of Ramadan as the supply of consumer goods is so far adequate.
Traders based in Chattogram's Khatunganj, the largest wholesale goods market in the country, said essential products, against letters of credit (LCs) opened recently, have started to arrive in the market.
As a result, the import has helped wholesalers build a sizable stock of essential commodities, they said.
Solaiman Badsha, a wholesaler at Khatunganj, said, "The import of chickpeas and other essential commodities is increasing before Ramadan. So, prices are under control now as the supply is adequate in the market."
Five ships loaded with a total of 241,000 tonnes of sugar reached the Chittagong seaport last month, said sources.
Besides, the importers opened LCs for importing 565,000 tonnes of sugar - expected to reach the Chittagong port soon.
In January, importers opened LCs for importing 29,000 tonnes of dates for Ramadan. In the meantime, some of these shipments have already reached the port.
In the current week, Indian onions are selling at Tk 28 per kg, Chinese garlic at Tk 150 per kg, and Chinese ginger at Tk 220 per kg.
On the other hand, lentils are now being sold at Tk 90 a kg, Australian chickpeas at Tk 72 per kg, and Indian chickpeas at Tk 80 per kg.
Meanwhile, peas are selling at Tk 61 per kg, cardamom at Tk 1,400 per kg, clove at Tk 1,340 per kg, and cumin at Tk 570 per kg in the port city markets.
General Secretary of the Chaktai-Khatunganj Wholesale General Traders Welfare Association Mohammed Mohiuddin said, "The supply and import of essentials is good. There is no shortage of essentials in the market now. There is no such possibility in Ramadan."
President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Mahbubul Alam said, "Many essentials against LCs opened targeting Ramadan have already reached the port and the market."
"If the supply chain can be kept normal, the market will remain stable in Ramadan," he observed.
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