Essential commodity prices in Cox’s Bazar remain high, leaving consumers struggling despite Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data showing inflation has dropped to 8.32 per cent in July, the lowest in the past eight months.
Sugar prices have risen sharply over the past two weeks, with wholesale rates increasing by Tk200-300 per maund to Tk3,900-4,000, pushing retail prices to Tk120-125 per kg, and in some places up to Tk140.
Edible oil is selling at Tk185-195 per litre for loose soybean oil, up from Tk175-180 a month ago. A 12kg LPG cylinder, officially priced at Tk1,598, is being sold at Tk1,600-1,700 in the market.
Vegetable prices have risen by Tk20-30 per kg in recent days, with tomatoes selling at Tk120-140, green chillies at Tk120-140, and carrots at Tk140.
Chicken prices have also soared, with Sonali chicken now Tk400-430 per kg, up from Tk270-300 two months ago. Beef without bone is selling at Tk1,000 per kg.
Consumers struggle
The discrepancy between official inflation figures and market reality has drawn criticism. Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Vice President SM Nazer Hossain said businesses were using the fuel crisis to exploit consumers.
“Limited-income families are finding it extremely difficult to manage their households. The government says everything is normal, but prices keep rising,” he said.
“Businesses should not be allowed to hold people hostage by freely raising prices and controlling supply. The government must be firm. The lack of regular and effective market monitoring is why prices are constantly rising,” he added.
Golam Arif Liton, general secretary of Cox’s Bazar LPG Association, told TIMES, “Global raw material prices and import costs have increased. We are also having to buy cylinders from companies at higher prices. That is why we have to sell at higher prices.”
Shafiul Alam, a retailer at Baharchhara Market area, said, “Adding transport costs, we are charging about Tk50 more than the government-fixed price. There is a price list at the shop, and gas is being sold according to that list.”
Market monitoring inadequate
Consumers complain that excessive price hikes are being justified by rising transport and fuel costs, with no effective market surveillance in place.
Cox’s Bazar District Consumer Rights Protection Department Assistant Director Hasan Al Maruf said, “I have no authority to fix prices. There is a separate department for that. My job is to check food quality and adulteration. In such a large district, one person can only do so much.”
“We are monitoring the market regularly and taking legal action whenever irregularities are found,” he added.
