The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The prices of different varieties of soybean oil have come down to some extent during the third week of Ramzan in the city markets following significant fall in their prices in the international markets.

Customers said they were happy over the downward trend of soybean oil prices.

Soybean was sold at between Tk 105 and Tk 106 per kg yesterday as against Tk 108 to Tk 110 last week. One kg of super soybean cost Tk 75, which was Tk 80 a few days ago. Palm oil was sold between Tk 70 and 72 per kg that was Tk 75 last week.

An influential trader at Moulvi Bazar said the prices of soybean would decrease further in the days ahead as its prices have plummeted in the international markets.

"The price stability in the markets is fully dependent on the smooth supply of commodities," he stressed.

But onion, ginger and some vegetables were selling at high price despite sufficient supply and availability of those items in the markets yesterday. On the other hand, the prices of rice remained static.

Customers alleged that some dishonest traders have increased the prices of beef to Tk 220 per kg as against Tk 190 to 200 fixed by the Dhaka City Corporation (DCC).

Price hike of essentials is a common feature during the month of Ramzan and on the eve of the Eid festival, they said.

They called upon the concerned authority to continue the market monitoring so that none could increase the price deliberately before the Eid.

"Joint initiatives by Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the wholesalers and retailers could help reduce the price of commodities, " they opined.

Retailers at Karwan Bazar said the prices of vegetables will come down to a tolerable level after couple of weeks when the winter vegetables will start arriving in the markets. Coarse variety of rice was sold between Tk 32 and Tk 33, minicate was sold between Tk 39 and Tk 44 and Nazirshail was Tk 40 Tk 46 per kg.

Local variety of onion was sold between Tk 32 and Tk 34 and imported one at Tk 22 to Tk 24 per kg. Local variety of garlic was at Tk 100 and imported at Tk 35 and ginger of local quality at Tk 100 and imported ones at Tk 65 per kg. Green Chilli was sold Tk 40 and Tk 50, aubergine between Tk 35 and Tk 40 and papaya between Tk 10 and Tk 12.

Beef was sold between Tk 200 and Tk 220 which was Tk 190 , mutton Tk 250s and Tk 280 and broiler chicken Tk 110 and Tk 120 per kg. Ruhi fish was sold between Tk 160 and Tk 180 per kg and a medium size of hilsha fish was sold between Tk 280 and Tk 300 yesterday.