Even before the start of Ramadan, the old scenario has returned to the essential commodities market. Prices of most daily necessities have increased several times over. Among key Ramadan items, the prices of eggplant, lemon, cucumber, and green chili have risen the most.
As a result of these price hikes, low- and middle-income people are facing the greatest hardship. This picture was observed on Thursday (February 19) morning during a visit to Karwan Bazar in the capital.
Speaking with buyers and sellers in the market revealed that cucumbers are being sold at 90 to 100 taka per kilogram, up from 70 to 80 taka just two days ago. Carrots are selling at 40 taka per kilogram.
Dates, an essential item for daily iftar during Ramadan, have also become very expensive. Consumers are having to pay several times the import price for dates. They are being sold at 400 to 2,000 taka per kilogram. Maryam dates are selling for 1,100 taka per kilogram, while Ajwa dates are priced at 900 taka per kilogram.
Traders also said that a week ago, eggplants were priced at 60 to 70 taka per kilogram, but are now selling for 140 to 150 taka—almost double within a week. Green chilies are being sold at 100 to 140 taka per kilogram.
Papayas are priced between 160 and 180 taka per kilogram. Just a week ago, these two vegetables could be bought for 20 to 30 taka less per kilogram.
Meanwhile, Champa bananas are selling at 70 taka per dozen, and watermelons at 90 taka per kilogram. Although prices of most items have increased, ginger and onions remain stable. Ginger is selling at 130 taka per kilogram, and onions at 50 taka per kilogram.
Green chili seller Sabbir said, “When imports are high, prices stay low; when imports decrease, prices go up. However, imports were good today, so prices have dropped slightly compared to yesterday.”
Ginger and onion seller Sakibul Haque said, “Alhamdulillah, imports have been good, so the market remains stable.”
Although the supply of lemons has slightly increased compared to last week, there has been no relief in prices. Currently, a set of four medium-sized lemons is being sold for 100 to 120 taka. Shopper Sajib Ahmed said, “Products that were affordable just a few days ago have suddenly become expensive. There is no effective monitoring or supervision in the market, allowing dishonest traders to take advantage. The authorities should conduct consumer rights drives and mobile courts to control this.”
Buyer Tasif Hasan said, “As usual, the prices of cucumbers, lemons, and eggplants have increased at the start of Ramadan. The government should pay attention to this.”
Nazmus Sakib said, “Dates are so expensive in the market—how can we afford to buy and eat them? These prices are beyond the reach of ordinary people.”
Meanwhile, the price of broiler chicken, the main source of protein for low- and middle-income families, is still not affordable. For the past two to two-and-a-half months, prices were slightly above 150 taka per kilogram.
Yesterday, broiler chicken was sold at 190 to 200 taka per kilogram, though today the price has dropped slightly to 170 to 180 taka per kilogram. At the same time, Sonali variety chicken is being sold at 280 taka per kilogram.