DHAKA, Sept. 26 — Ordinary people have found no relief under pressure from higher prices of daily essentials. Prices of some vegetables rose in different markets of the capital compared with last week. At the same time, prices of eggs, fish, chicken, flour, maida and edible oil remain upward, increasing daily market costs for people with limited incomes. The picture was seen Friday during visits to Naya Bazar, Karwan Bazar, Keraniganj’s Bou Bazar and other markets in the capital.
At Naya Bazar around noon, loose flour was selling for 50 taka per kilogram and maida for 65 to 70 taka. A month earlier, loose flour cost 45 taka and maida 55 to 60 taka. A 2 kg packet of maida is selling for 160 to 170 taka, up from 140 to 150 taka a month ago. Traders said the price of a 50 kg sack of maida had risen from 2,500 taka to 2,800 taka.
The rise in maida prices has affected buns and other bakery products. Although traders took an initiative to raise prices of bread, cakes and biscuits from last Saturday, they agreed to suspend it for now after a meeting with the commerce minister Tuesday. Buyers, however, complained that not all products are available at previous prices.
Vegetable prices were also rising. Because demand is higher on holidays, prices of almost all vegetables in different kitchen markets of the capital rose by 5 to 10 taka per kilogram. In different markets, green chilies sold for 100 to 120 taka, pointed gourd 70 to 80 taka, long eggplant 80 to 90 taka, round eggplant 110 to 140 taka, bitter gourd 80 to 100 taka, beans 180 to 200 taka and papaya 35 to 40 taka per kilogram.
Shahanaz Begum, a vegetable seller at Karwan Bazar, said rain has created some shortage in vegetable supply. Prices are somewhat high now, she said, but may fall quickly within a few days when new vegetables reach the market.
The egg market has changed significantly. Eggs are now selling for 150 to 160 taka per dozen. Six months ago, the price was 110 to 120 taka per dozen. In other words, egg prices rose by about 45 to 50 taka during the period.
Broiler chicken is selling for 190 to 200 taka per kilogram. One and a half months ago, the price was about 20 taka lower. Sonali chicken is selling for 340 to 360 taka and hybrid chicken for 300 to 330 taka per kilogram. Beef remains almost unchanged at 800 taka and mutton at 1,250 taka per kilogram.
Fish buyers are also finding little relief. Rui is selling for 400 to 420 taka, katla 420 to 440 taka, pangas 250 to 300 taka and pabda 400 to 450 taka per kilogram. Tilapia is selling for 250 to 260 taka, shrimp 1,000 to 1,300 taka, tengra about 700 taka, barramundi 400 to 550 taka and local koi 700 to 800 taka per kilogram.
Hilsa prices, however, have fallen somewhat compared with earlier. Depending on size, hilsa is selling in the capital’s markets from 850 taka to more than 2,000 taka.
Fish traders said hilsa supply in the market has increased somewhat, affecting prices.
Meanwhile, consumers allege that the full benefits of reduced taxes and duties are not reaching the retail market. In the current fiscal year’s budget, taxes were reduced on 63 essential items, including rice, flour, wheat, lentils, potatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, salt, sugar and edible oil. But consumers said the expected relief has not arrived in the market. Instead, prices of some products have risen further.
Consumers Association of Bangladesh representative Nazer Hossain told Amar Desh that retail prices have not fallen despite tax cuts. He said the government needs to look at the matter seriously.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report