B Mirror Report :  The costs of necessities are once again showing signs of volatility as the holy month of Ramadan draws near. Markets are seeing an increase in the cost of rice, lentils, edible oil, and other everyday essentials.

Furthermore, within a week, the cost of a kilogram of sugar and chickpeas climbed by Tk 5 to Tk 10. Prices for the majority of vegetables have also increased, even before the end of winter, under the guise of decreased supply.

On Saturday (January 24), visits to several markets in the capital revealed that chickpeas are being sold at Tk 105 to Tk 110 per kilogram, up from Tk 95 to Tk 100 a week earlier. This indicates an increase of up to Tk 10 per kilogram within a week. Sugar prices had already risen from Tk 90 to over Tk 100 per kilogram two weeks ago. Over the past week, prices increased further by at least Tk 7–8, reaching as high as Tk 110 per kilogram.

According to data from the Ministry of Commerce and the National Board of Revenue (NBR), annual demand for chickpeas in the country ranges between 180,000 and 200,000 tonnes, while imports have exceeded demand by at least 100,000 tonnes. There is also no shortage in sugar supply. Demand for sugar during Ramadan stands at around 300,000 tonnes, while about 500,000 tonnes were imported over the past three months ahead of Ramadan 227,000 tonnes more than last year. Traders are reportedly raising prices ahead of Ramadan in anticipation of increased demand.

Not only chickpeas, but prices of other lentils have also gone up. Anchor lentils have increased by Tk 5 per kilogram and are being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 65. Prices of small-grain masoor lentils have also risen slightly and are now selling at Tk 165 to Tk 170 per kilogram, while coarse masoor lentils are selling at Tk 100 per kilogram.

Soybean oil prices have been rising for the past month. Currently, a 5-litre bottle of soybean oil is being sold at Tk 950, compared to Tk 920 a month ago. Bottled soybean oil is being sold at Tk 195 per kilogram.

Although Aman season rice has started arriving in the market, prices of older varieties have increased by Tk 4–5 per kilogram over the past two weeks. New medium-grade rice varieties such as BR-28, BR-29 and Paijam are selling at Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kilogram, while older rice of similar quality is being sold at Tk 60 to Tk 65. Depending on quality and brand, Miniket rice is selling at prices ranging from Tk 72 to Tk 86 per kilogram.

Prices of Miniket rice from Manjur and Sagar brands have increased by Tk 3–4 per kilogram and are now selling at Tk 83–84. Rashid Miniket has risen from Tk 72 to Tk 75 per kilogram, non-branded Miniket is selling at Tk 65 to Tk 70, while premium Mozammel Miniket has increased by Tk 1–2 to Tk 85–86 per kilogram.

Similarly, prices of Nazirshail rice have also increased. Depending on variety, locally produced Nazirshail rice is selling at Tk 72 to Tk 85 per kilogram, up from Tk 70 to Tk 82 two weeks ago. Imported Nazirshail rice has increased by up to Tk 3 per kilogram and is now selling at Tk 75 to Tk 78.

Meanwhile, traders have raised vegetable prices over the past week citing reduced supply of winter vegetables. Over the last two to three weeks, prices of almost all vegetables have increased by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kilogram. Papaya is selling at Tk 40 per kilogram, turnip at Tk 60, round eggplant at Tk 80, onion stalks at Tk 15 to Tk 20 per bunch, radish at Tk 40, cucumber at Tk 80 and carrot at Tk 80 per kilogram.

Among other vegetables, green chilies are selling at Tk 160 per kilogram, tomatoes at Tk 80 and sweet pumpkin at Tk 50. Depending on variety, beans are selling at Tk 40 to Tk 80 per kilogram, potatoes at Tk 30, cauliflower at Tk 40 to Tk 50 per piece, cabbage at Tk 40 per piece, and small-sized broccoli at Tk 40 to Tk 50 per piece.

Explaining the reasons behind the price hike, Jewel, a vendor at Mugda market, said that as winter is coming to an end, vegetable supply has started to decline. “Vegetables that we previously bought at lower prices from wholesale markets now cost Tk 5 to Tk 10 more, and that increase is being reflected in retail prices,” he said.