Prices of essential commodities have risen just days before the start of Ramadan, with traders citing increased demand and limited supply — a pattern repeated each year. With only one day left before the holy month begins, prices have already climbed in both wholesale and retail markets.
In kitchen markets, the prices of cucumber, lemon, green chilli, aubergine, coriander, dates and most fruits have increased by Tk10 per kilogram within a few days. As in previous years, traders have blamed an artificial shortage for the hikes.
The rise in the cost of iftar items has forced many middle-income families, who usually purchase provisions for the entire month at once, to cut quantities and reduce their shopping lists, opting instead for 10 to 15 days’ supplies. Consumers fear further increases at the start of Ramadan. With little visible market monitoring, prices are reportedly being raised arbitrarily at both wholesale and retail levels.
In this regard, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Director (Administration and Finance Division) Sebastin Rema told the TIMES of Bangladesh that routine drives are under way. “Monitoring will be intensified once Ramadan begins. We take action under our laws, and district administrations and the Food Safety Authority may also conduct mobile court operations,” he said.
Dates market surges
Demand for dates rises sharply during Ramadan. According to Bangladesh Bank data, 37,931 tonnes of dates were imported between July and January of the current fiscal year.
At Badamtoli wholesale fruit market in Dhaka, varieties such as Ajwa, Mariam, Mashrook, Kalmi, Amber, Shukri, Gabas and Nakhal are being sold and distributed nationwide. Depending on quality, Mariam and Ajwa dates are selling at between Tk600 and Tk1,000 per kilogram, while premium Medjool dates are priced between Tk1,000 and Tk1,300 per kilogram. Higher-grade varieties are mostly purchased by affluent consumers.
Kitchen market trends
At Karwan Bazar, one of the capital’s largest wholesale and retail markets, traders and buyers reported price increases compared with two to three days earlier.
Retail trader Mondol said capsicum was selling at Tk40 per kilogram, tomatoes at Tk40, beans at Tk25 to Tk30, cauliflower at Tk40 per piece, and bottle gourd at Tk30 to Tk40 depending on size — up by Tk10 from Sunday’s prices.
Another retailer, Mobarak Mia, said carrots and radish were selling at Tk40 per kilogram, medium-sized lemons at Tk60 per four pieces, and beans at Tk40 per kilogram — up from Tk30–35 the previous day.
Lemon seller Farhad said medium lemons were selling at Tk50 per four pieces and larger ones at Tk120 per four pieces, compared with Tk110 on Sunday.
Chilli trader Sekandar said green chillies had risen from Tk145–150 per kilogram on Sunday to Tk160 on Monday. Lower-grade chillies previously sold at Tk110 are now Tk120 per kilogram.
At retail level, bitter gourd is selling at Tk180 per kilogram, aubergine at Tk100–120, cucumber at Tk100, potatoes at Tk60, tomatoes at Tk60, Thai ginger at Tk220, local ginger at Tk200 and garlic at Tk200 per kilogram. Older produce is slightly cheaper but still Tk10–15 higher than prices earlier in the week.
Several buyers at Karwan Bazar expressed frustration, saying vegetables are becoming costlier ahead of Ramadan due to weak monitoring. Housewife Beauty Akter said prices were noticeably higher than last week. Another buyer, Mostafizur Rahman, said green chillies now cost Tk20–30 more per kilogram than two days ago. “Traders say they are buying at higher prices, but ordinary people bear the brunt,” he said.
Mirpur and Savar
In Mirpur-1, near Shah Ali Shrine, buyers reported similar increases, with most items up by Tk10 per kilogram. Beef was selling at Tk800 per kilogram.
In Savar’s Namabazar, lemons were selling at Tk200 per kilogram, up from Tk190 two days earlier. Cucumbers were Tk120 per kilogram, tomatoes Tk50, green chillies Tk180, onions Tk55, aubergine Tk80 and coriander Tk10 per bunch. Some items rose by Tk5–10 per kilogram compared with Sunday.
At Savar municipal Genda market, lemons also increased from Tk190 to Tk200 per kilogram. Green chillies were Tk160 per kilogram, while cucumber was Tk120, bitter gourd Tk130, aubergine Tk80, potatoes Tk20 and onions Tk50 per kilogram.
Grocers reported sugar at Tk100 per kilogram, chickpeas at Tk85–90, lentils at Tk55–60 and molasses at Tk200.
Poultry prices also rise
Broiler chicken was selling at Tk190 per kilogram, Sonali at Tk320, Sonali hybrid at Tk280, native chicken at Tk370 and layer chicken at Tk280 per kilogram. A trader said layer chicken prices had increased by Tk10 per kilogram.
