Ramadan market: Prices rise due to supply shortage

Staff Reporter :

Despite a surge in imports ahead of Ramadan, retail prices, fish, chicken, spices, and iftar items have risen sharply in major cities, including Dhaka and Chittagong.

Disruptions caused by port-centric standoffs, election-time holidays, and transportation challenges have hampered supply, creating difficulties for ordinary consumers.

According to the National Board of Revenue (NBR), imports of key Ramadan goods—including edible oil, sugar, chickpeas, lentils, and wheat—have increased compared to last year. Between December 1 and February 14, around 574,000 tons of soybean and palm oil were imported, 24,000 tons more than the same period last year. Soybean seed imports rose 15 percent to 674,000 tons, sufficient to produce about 121,000 tons of soybean oil.

The Tariff Commission notes that while Ramadan demand for edible oil is around 300,000 tons, imports have exceeded this level.

A similar trend is observed for sugar, with 473,000 tons imported in the last two and a half months, about 39 percent higher than last year, against a Ramadan demand of 300,000 tons.

Lentils were imported at 229,000 tons, 43 percent more than last year, and chickpeas at 159,000 tons against a demand of 100,000 tons.

Despite higher imports, supplies have not reached the market efficiently.
Biswajit Saha, Director of City Group, said delays in unloading and distribution caused by port congestion, shortages of lighter vessels, and transportation issues have prevented products from reaching factories and warehouses on time, putting pressure on the wholesale market.

As a result, retail prices of daily necessities have spiked. In Chittagong, gram is selling at Tk 75–80 per kg, khesari at Tk 78, peas at Tk 52, and thick lentils at Tk 80. Vegetable prices have also climbed: green chillies at Tk 200, brinjal Tk 80–100, tomatoes and cucumbers Tk 60–80, and lemon peels Tk 80–100 per kg. Onion costs Tk 80, local garlic Tk 120, and ginger Tk 130–160.

Prices of meat and fish have risen as well. Broiler chicken increased from Tk 150 to Tk 180 per kg over the past week, golden chicken at Tk 380, domestic chicken Tk 650, and beef Tk 850.

Fish prices rose by Tk 50–100, with katla at Tk 450–500, rui-mrigal at Tk 400–450, and pangash at Tk 220–250 per kg.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) vice president SM Nazer Hossain said that while imports and domestic production are sufficient, temporary marketing disruptions have caused instability.

He warned that if supply is not normalized quickly, prices may rise further as Ramadan begins.

Date supply has also been affected. With Ramadan demand at 60,000 tons, only 39,000 tons have been imported so far. Traders report prices have increased by Tk 20–100 per kg depending on quality, with current prices ranging from Tk 280 to Tk 1,500.