Prices of essential items rise in Karwan Bazar ahead of Ramadan
Prices of spices and cooking ingredients have also risen
Ahead of Ramadan, prices of essential items have surged at Karwan Bazar, one of Dhaka's main wholesale and retail centres. High-demand iftar goods, such as chickpeas, sugar, dates, cucumber, lemon, and lentils, have risen 10% - 30%.
A market survey shows chickpeas selling at Tk100-110 per kg, up slightly from a few days ago. Packaged sugar is Tk100-105, loose sugar over Tk110, and lentils range from Tk120-180 per kg depending on quality.
Lemon prices have risen to Tk80-100 per set of four, with larger sizes costing more. Cucumbers now sell at Tk100-120 per kg and eggplant at Tk 90-120 per kg.
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Prices of spices and cooking ingredients have also risen. Green chillies sell at Tk200-240 per kg, while onions remain steady at Tk60-70 per kg.
Broiler chicken costs Tk190-200 per kg and eggs costs Tk130-160 per dozen. Egg seller Nazmul Hossain said, "We bought eggs at higher prices for Ramadan, but don't expect to make excessive profit."
Merchants said the market for iftar items usually heats up before Ramadan, with wholesale price adjustments, transport costs, and stockpiling driving prices up.
Shajahan Khan of Selim Store told Business Standard, "We are buying everything at higher prices, and transport costs are unavoidable. There isn't much room for extra profit."
Lemon prices have risen to Tk80-120 per four pieces from Tk60-100 last week. Green chillies now sell at Tk180-240 per kg, up from Tk140-180 previously.
Regular Karwan Bazar customer Shahin Ali said, "Prices always rise during Ramadan. This pressure is very hard for us. The government should strengthen market monitoring."
