Prices of Eid sweets ingredients soar by 50%

The skyrocketing prices of sweets, which are an essential part of Eid-day cuisine, have dampened the festive spirits of lower and middle-class households.

Coconut, a key ingredient in the Eid sweet menu, has tripled in price over the past two years.

In addition to coconuts, the prices of other items typically consumed during Eid have also risen, prompting many individuals to reduce their purchases.

The prices of vermicelli and noodles have also increased due to the rise in the prices of raw materials such as flour and edible oil.

The price of Bangla semai – locally made vermicelli – has increased by at least Tk26 per kg at the wholesale level and Tk40 per kg at the retail level in the last two years.

Similarly, the price of laccha semai has risen by at least 55% in two years, and the price of sugar has also risen from Tk65 to Tk115 per kg during the same period.

"The prices of vermicelli have increased due to the rise in the prices of edible oil and flour, which are the main ingredients for making vermicelli," said Amal Saha, proprietor of Nazim and Brothers.

Mahmudur Rahman Chowdhury, manager (research and development) of vermicelli manufacturing company Banoful and Co, told The Business Standard, "The most popular packet size is 200 grams."

"Over the past two years, the price of this packet of laccha semai has increased by Tk20, mainly due to the rise in oil and flour prices. Currently, it is selling for Tk50," he added.

The price of noodles has also increased by 25%-30% in two years.

Elias Saudagar, a store owner in Kazir Deuri Bazar of Chattogram city, said customers who used to purchase five kilograms of sugar during Eid in previous years have only bought two kilograms this year.

He added that the prices of all commodities, including daily necessities, have escalated, leading people to buy fewer Eid items.

Shafiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, president of the Bangladesh Auto Biscuit and Bread Manufacturing Association, said that most families cook semai during Eid.

"There are 30 to 40 brands of semai. Apart from this, there are non-brand semai from different regions, including Bogura. Non-brand semai is manufactured only around festivals. The production cost has increased by about 25% in a span of one year," he added.

When visiting various markets in the capital, it was observed that a 200-gram packet of laccha semai is being sold for Tk45 to Tk50, while a 200-gram packet of fine semai is selling for Tk45.

Every year around Eid, the demand for aromatic rice increases. Over the course of a year, the price of loose and packed aromatic rice has risen by Tk30 to Tk50 per kilogram.

The price of good quality loose aromatic rice has increased by Tk40-50 to Tk150 per kg, while packaged aromatic rice is selling for Tk160-170 per kg after an increase of Tk35-40.

Md Anisur Rahman, a retail shopkeeper in Moghbazar, informed TBS that the price of packaged aromatic rice was Tk130 per kg last year. Similarly, the price of loose aromatic rice was Tk100-110.

According to data from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh, the price of sugar has increased by 48% to Tk115-120 per kg from Tk78-80 a year ago.

However, a few shops, including Shah Departmental Store, in Boro Moghbazar were found to be selling loose sugar at Tk130 per kg.