Ahead of the holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, prices of essential grocery items are rising across the capital.
Within a week, price increases of lentils, cooking oil, sugar, and chickpeas have put ordinary buyers under pressure. However, slight drops in vegetable and new onion prices have brought some relief to local markets.
A survey of various markets, including Ray Saheb Market in Old Dhaka, revealed the following trends:
At several grocery shops in Ray Saheb Market, prices of essential edible oils have increased. A shopkeeper said the price of a 5-liter bottle of soybean oil has risen by Tk 50, from Tk 900 to Tk 950. Red lentils (Masur dal) are up Tk 25 per kg, currently selling at up to Tk 165 depending on quality. Chickpeas, which were Tk 90 per kg about a week ago, have now crossed Tk 100.
Spice prices have doubled in some cases. Cardamom, previously Tk 3,200, is now Tk 5,500, while plums that were Tk 400 are being sold at Tk 800. Raisins are priced at Tk 900, and cashew nuts at Tk 1,250. Shopkeepers attribute the price hikes partly to an increase in VAT.
Prices of infant foods, including Lactogen and Nido milk, have also risen by up to Tk 50 per tin. A 2.5-kg tin of Nido is now sold at Tk 3,200. Tea leaf prices have increased by Tk 100 per kg.
In the fish and meat markets, broiler chicken is being sold at Tk 170–185 per kg, and Sonali chicken at Tk 290–300 per kg. The egg market has seen the highest volatility: eggs that were sold at Tk 100 per dozen last week are now going for Tk 125.
Afzal Khan, a buyer at Ray Saheb Market, told the Dhaka Tribune: “If prices are not controlled before the election, the hardship for ordinary people will go beyond limits.”
Despite instability in grocery markets, adequate supply of local onions in fresh markets has brought prices down. New onions are now available at Tk 50–55 per kg, with most of the supply being local. Some onions imported from India, however, are still selling at Tk 70 or higher.
Winter vegetable prices are also declining. Cauliflower, previously Tk 50, is now Tk 35–40, while cabbage is sold at Tk 30–35 each. New potato prices, depending on quality and market, are Tk 30–35 per kg. Yardlong beans are available at Tk 40–60 per kg, eggplant at Tk 50–70 per kg depending on quality, and tomatoes at Tk 50–80 per kg. Other products continue to be sold at previous prices.
After several months of stability, chicken prices increased by Tk 10–15 about a week ago. Beef prices remain unchanged at Tk 800 per kg across markets. Broiler chicken is currently sold at Tk 170–185 per kg, while Sonali chicken has risen from Tk 270–280 to Tk 290–300 per kg.
