Ramadan essentials prices soar in Kishoreganj

Sr. Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :

Prices of essential Ramadan items, particularly lemons, dates and cucumbers, see a sharp rise in Kishorganj ‘s kitchen markets ahead of the holy month for the Muslims.

Visits to kitchen markets in the town on Thursday found that lemons, which were selling at Tk 25 to 30 per four just two to three days ago, were sold at Tk.80 to 90.

Prices of dates also soared by Tk 50-70 per kilogram within a week, while cucumbers were selling at Tk 80-90 per kilogram, up from Tk 50-70 sold just previously.

Traders said that the price hike was driven by increased demand and higher wholesale rates, although consumers alleged market manipulation ahead of Ramadan.

Vegetable prices also rose by Tk 20 to30 per kg , with green chilli selling at Tk 160 to 180, eggplants at Tk 70-80, and tomatoes at Tk.100 to 110.

However, some items remain relatively stable, including spinach at Tk 20 per bundle, cauliflower at Tk 30 per kilogram, onions at Tk 50 per kg and potatoes at below Tk 20 per kg.

Consumers expressed frustration over the sudden spike in prices of commonly used Ramadan items.
Retired Army man Mohitur Rahman said that prices had jumped within days.

‘A lemon that cost Tk 30 two days ago is now Tk 80 to 90,’ he lamented, alleging every year before Ramadan a syndicate controls the market.’

Advocate Hazrat Ali said that most vegetables widely consumed during Ramadan had become expensive.
Shaheed , a retailer at Bara Bazar said that lower-priced varieties of dates had seen the steepest rise.
‘Better quality dates have not increased as much, but wholesale rates have risen overall,’ he said.

Another trader Morshed said that demand spikes during Ramadan inevitably pushed prices higher.
‘When wholesale prices increase, we have no option but to adjust retail prices,’

CAB district president Alam Sarowar Tito said that, Ensuring food price control, and safety durning the holy Ramadan, a key test for the new government, calking for stricter regulations, hygiene standards and the introduction of a safety seal to protect consumers.

ADC (General) Mizabe Rahmat told the New Nation that monitoring drives were ongoing.We are inspecting purchase receipts, especially for dates,’

‘Action is being taken where irregularities are found, ADC Mizabe Rahmat added.
Assistant Director of DNCRP Shafiul Islam said we are monitoring market everyday to keep the market at tolerable level legal action is being taken if any businesses charges unreasonable prices or cheats consumers, DNCRP added.