Sr. Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :
The prices of daily essential commodities, including rice, soybean oil, and sugar, have surged in Kishoreganj’s kitchen markets, causing hardships for the consumers particularly the lower and middle-income ones. Prices of palm oil, chicken, green chilies, egg and tomatoes have also increased.
During visits to the kitchen markets in Bara Bazar, Kachari Bazar, Puranthana Bazar and Batrish on Thursday, these products to be sold at increased prices.
According to Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of medium rice increased by 2.68 percent, coarse rice by 2.88 percent, soybean oil by about 1 per cent and sugar by about 2 percent in the past week.
Traders said, the price hikes to a supply shortage, rising production costs, and the country’s volatile economic situation.
Paritosh Pall, a rice wholesaler in Kishoreganj’s Bara Bazar said that, the price of coarse rice increased by Tk 2-3 per kg last week, citing millers’ claims that higher paddy prices were driving up rice costs.
Md. Shahabuddin, a retailer of Bara Bazar said that, in the retail market, medium rice is being sold at Tk 55-60 per kg, while the price was Tk 54-58. Coarse rice is being sold at Tk 52-55, while the price was Tk 52 –54 in the last week, he added. The vegetable and chicken markets have also witnessed a significant surge in prices.
Joynal, a vegetable seller at Bara Bazar kitchen market, said the price of eggplant increased from Tk 30 to Tk 40 per kg over the past week, while green chilli prices rose from Tk 200 to Tk 220 potatoes from Tk 55 to Tk 60, and cabbage from Tk 30 to Tk 50 per piece.
Fazlu Miah, a retailer said, the price of broiler chicken rose from Tk 160 to Tk 165 per kg within the same period. Egg price costs per peace Tk 12.50 to 13.
Wholesale traders attributed the increase in broiler chicken prices to higher production costs, he added. The prices of potatoes, onions, eggs, garlic, ginger, and pangas fish have decreased, while the price of tilapia remains unchanged. Amid the situation, consumers are facing severe challenges.
Rafiqur, a retired person said, the prices of many essential items have remained high for over a year, as the previous government failed to curb the high prices.
