Bangladesh News

Prices of different essentials continued to soar at both wholesale and retail markets in the capital and elsewhere in the country over the past week, intensifying sufferings of people belonging to all strata.

Retailers and wholesalers blamed shortage of supply and price hike in the international market for the increase of prices of essentials like edible oil, pulses, sugar, flour, onion, chicken, egg, powdered milk and vegetables.

They also alleged that importers and a section of unscrupulous traders are contributing to the price hike.

The unabated increase of prices of essentials has left a large section of city dwellers utterly frustrated.

“The prices are going beyond our reach. House rent, children’s education expenses and the overall living cost have been increasing while our incomes remain unchanged. How will we afford all these essentials?” said a frustrated customer, Anwar Hossain, at Hatirpul market yesterday.

The price of non-brand soybean oil leapt by Tk 10-12 per kilogram (kg) in the last week and stood at Tk 115-120 per kg at different retail markets yesterday.

The prices of palm and super palm oil also registered a fresh hike at wholesale and retail markets.

The price of non-brand mustard oil jumped Tk 25 per kg, reaching Tk 140-150 per kg at the retail markets. The oil sold at Tk 115-125 a kg two weeks back.

Traders blamed the increased price of mustard oil on the price hike of soybean oil.

The prices of pulses increased by Tk 8-12 per kg over the last week at both retail and wholesale markets.

Pulses of different varieties were selling between Tk 68 and Tk 95 per kg at the retail markets of the country yesterday.

Sumon, a trader at Nimtoli Anandabazar under Shahbagh Police Station, said he sold pulses between Tk 58 and Tk 84 last week depending on their variety.

Traders at Karwan Bazar and in Old Dhaka said the price of pulses increased by Tk 8-10 per kg in the retail market. They cited end of the season and shortage of supply as the main reasons for the hike.

The price of sugar climbed up by Tk 10 per kg in the last two weeks. Sugar was selling between Tk 40-42 yesterday.

A wholesale trader at Karwan Bazar said they are selling sugar at Tk 40.5 per kg, but the price was Tk 27 a month ago.

The price of flour increased by Tk 4 per kg last week and a 1kg pack of flour was selling at Tk 43-48 at the retail markets yesterday, depending on brands.

The prices of onions–both the local-variety and Indian variety–are hovering around Tk 17-20 per kg. They sold at Tk 12-15 per kg a week ago.

The price of poultry chicken shot up Tk 10-15 per kg and stood at Tk 75-80. Chicken was sold at Tk 60-65 a week ago. The price of local chicken also increased by Tk 100 per hali (four pieces), climbing to Tk 500-550 from Tk 400-450.

The price of eggs rose by Tk 3-6 per dozen; eggs were selling at Tk 48-54 per dozen at different retail markets.

The prices of powdered milk of different brands, including Dano and Fresh, saw a sharp rise.

A 400gm pack of Dano powdered milk rose to Tk 212 from last week’s Tk 201 while a 400gm pack of Fresh powdered milk leapt to Tk 200 from Tk 195.

Meanwhile, most vegetables also became dearer after quite a long time. Traders blamed the increase of vegetables prices on end of season for some vegetables and start of season for others.

Prices of rice of different varieties increased by Tk 20-40 per maund at the wholesale market in the last week. The prices at almost all retail markets rose by Tk 1 per kg.

The prices of all types of fish also increased by Tk 10-50 at the markets in the capital over the last two weeks.

Abdur Rahim, a fourth class employee of Dhaka Medical College Hospital who came to Palashi kitchen market yesterday, said a month ago he could manage his family’s daily kitchen expenses within Tk 200, but now he has to spend Tk 250 to buy the daily essentials.