The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The prices of rice, fish, vegetables and other essential items remained high at the retail markets in the city yesterday.

A section of dishonest traders have started raising the price of pulses, onion, bashon (powdered pulses) and puffed rice even before the start of Ramzan, customers alleged.

We hoped that the price hike of essential items would come down but practically they are maintaining a high trend, they said.

They called upon the government to control the price hike during the holy month of Ramzan and ensure supply of those items.

Retailers said they were not selling essential items in high price rather they were making marginal profit.

They hoped the price of different items would remain at a tolerable level if the supply chain of those items were smoothly maintained during the month of Ramzan.

Wholesalers at Moulvi Bazar said import of necessary items through public and private initiatives could bring stability in the market during Ramzan.

We have started importing sufficient quantity of gram, lentils and other items with a view to easing the price burden on the customers, said an influential trader.

Chickpea, a vital component of Iftar item during Ramzan was selling at Tk 60 to Tk 65 per kg in the markets yesterday compared to Tk 55 to Tk 60 a couple of days back. Price of Khesari pulses was sold at Tk 60 to Tk 65 per kg yesterday, which was between Tk 55 and Tk 58.

Puffed rice (muri), another popular Iftar item during the month of Ramzan was selling at Tk 55 to Tk 60 per kg yesterday, which was at Tk 48 to Tk 52.

Coarse variety of rice was selling between Tk 34 and Tk 35 while different varieties of fine quality of rice ranged Tk 38 to Tk 44 per kg yesterday.

Prices of soybean oil remained unchanged with non-packed one was selling between Tk 120 and Tk 122 per kg and branded soybean packed in five litre cans were selling between Tk 610 yesterday. Per kg of medium sized 'ruhi' was selling between Tk 150 and Tk 180, shrimp Tk 450 to Tk 500 and small size of 'molla' fish was sold at Tk 140 to Tk 160 per kg yesterday.

Local variety of onion was sold at Tk 30 to Tk 32 while imported one was at Tk 20 per kg. Potato was sold at Tk 17 to Tk 18, Papiya at Tk 14 to Tk 16, Barbati at Tk 26 to Tk 28 and patal sold between Tk 24 and Tk 26 yesterday. Lentil (red musur) was sold at Tk 110 while imported one was at Tk 96 to Tk 98 per kg yesterday.

Prices of chicken and eggs remained high due to short supply, claimed by retailers. Per hali (four of each) was between Tk 24 and Tk 28 and broiler meat was at Tk 100 to Tk 110 per kg.