Dhaka, Sep 04 (V7N)- Prices of several vegetables and essential commodities have increased sharply in markets across the capital within just two days, adding to the financial pressure on low- and middle-income consumers.
The prices of some vegetables have risen by Tk 10 to Tk 20 per kilogram, while green chilli prices have jumped by as much as Tk 60 per kilogram in a single day.
In Agargaon, Mohakhali and Karwan Bazar, patol, dhundal and jhinga, which were selling for Tk 50 to Tk 60 per kilogram on Tuesday, were being sold for Tk 60 to Tk 70 on Thursday. Long brinjal increased by Tk 20 to Tk 80-100 per kilogram, while dhanshak rose by Tk 10 to Tk 50-60.
The sharpest increase was seen in green chilli. The vegetable was selling for Tk 80-100 per kilogram on Wednesday but reached Tk 140-150 the following day in some markets.
Wholesale vegetable trader Abdur Rahim said prices had increased significantly at Karwan Bazar. According to him, the price of a five-kilogram lot of vegetables had increased by Tk 80 to Tk 100 in a single day.
Meanwhile, prices of eggs, broiler chicken, pulses, flour and polao rice are also showing an upward trend at the wholesale level. Traders warned that further increases in wholesale prices could push up retail prices within the next few days.
However, potatoes and onions remain comparatively cheaper, with potatoes selling for Tk 25-30 per kilogram and onions for Tk 50-60.
Consumers say the rising cost of essentials is making it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses. Mizanur Rahman, who works at a motor workshop, said he recently paid Tk 40 for a small bundle of green chillies that cost him only Tk 20 two days earlier.
Private-sector employee Kamal Hossain, who earns around Tk 50,000 a month, said rising market prices were putting additional pressure on his family budget. Homemaker Maria Begum of Begunbari also expressed concern over rising prices of soybean oil and flour.
The soybean oil market has seen some improvement in supply after the price of bottled soybean oil was increased by Tk 4 per liter. However, consumers are still paying around Tk 190 per liter for bottled soybean oil despite no reported increase in the official price of loose soybean oil.
Loose sugar is also being sold at a higher price than packet sugar. While packet sugar is priced at around Tk 110 per kilogram, loose sugar is selling for Tk 115-120.
The prices of flour and other pulses have also increased over the past month and a half. Loose flour has risen from Tk 45 to Tk 50 per kilogram, while packet flour has increased from Tk 60 to Tk 65. Loose atta has increased to around Tk 70 per kilogram, while packet atta is selling for about Tk 75.
According to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, the price of loose flour has increased by 3 percent over the past month and 13 percent over the past year, while sugar prices have risen by around 7 percent.
Egg and chicken prices have also remained elevated. Broiler chicken is currently selling for Tk 180-200 per kilogram, while a dozen eggs costs around Tk 145-155.
The Consumers Association of Bangladesh has called for stronger monitoring of imports, supplies and market prices of essential commodities. CAB Vice President SM Nazer Hossain also urged the government to increase support for low-income households.
Director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate Atia Sultana said regular market monitoring is underway and legal action will be taken against traders if irregularities are detected.
Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said the government is providing essential commodities to around 7.8 million families at subsidized prices through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh every month. He also said Open Market Sale activities are continuing and that authorities are monitoring imports and supplies around the clock to prevent artificial shortages and control the market.
END/SMA/AJ
