Prices of ginger, onion drop substantially in retail market 

The price of ginger has started dropping in the retail market, being sold at a lower price than the past week. 

Visiting some of the retail markets in the capital, it was found that ginger was being sold at Tk170-Tk180 per kilogram, significantly lower than around Tk350 the past week. 

The wholesale price of ginger is currently between Tk120-150. 

"We sold ginger at Tk350 per kilogram as the wholesale price was more. Now the price has dropped and we are selling it at Tk180 per kilogram," said Aminul Islam, a grocer at the Mohakhali kitchen market. 

The price is almost similar in the markets of Gulshan circle 1 and 2. 

Habibur Rahman, a buyer at Rampura kitchen market, said, "The prices of ginger and onion have fallen. I have bought half kilogram of ginger for Tk180 per kg, and purchased onions at Tk50 per kg."

However, some of the retailers are still selling ginger at Tk280-300. 

Market analysis by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) shows that the price of locally produced ginger has slipped, selling for Tk200-220 from the previous Tk250 per kg. 

In the past couple of days, the price of onion has also dropped substantially. 

A week before Ramadan, onion prices went up to Tk60-65 from Tk35-40. But now, onions are available at Tk45-55 per kg. 

Due to smooth supply and reduced number of consumers, the price has dropped, said sellers. 

Ginger prices shot up after the IEDCR advised to consume ginger with hot water to prevent Covid-19 infection. People started hoarding ginger while traders doubled the price. 

However, the commerce ministry officials engaged in monitoring the market came to know that the price of per kilogram imported ginger was Tk90-97. And the traders could sell those for Tk120-130 after including other costs.

But after making syndicates in Khatunganj of Chattogram and Shyambazar of Dhaka, the traders started selling ginger at Tk245-250 per kilogram. 

Then the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection started raiding the wholesale markets and gradually the price of ginger fell. Accordingly, the price also has fallen in the retail market.    

"Due to drives by the consumer rights directorate, the traders have reduced the ginger price. The price halved in a few days," said Monzur Mohammad Shahriar, deputy director of Dhaka division of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. 

Meanwhile, the TCB market analysis also says that the price of small red lentils has increased by Tk10 and are being sold at Tk140. The price of local chicken has increased by around Tk50 for a kilogram, while the price of broiler chicken is normal. 

The price of cardamom has increased by Tk200 and is being sold at Tk3,600-Tk4,200 per kilogram.