Prices of daily commodities like rice, dal, oil, flour are still high

Almost every year, the price of sugar increases in the market. This time, the government has given some duty exemption on the import of the product to reduce the price. But one kg of sugar is being imported with only 68 paise less duty than before. As a result, the price of sugar is not decreasing.

A kg of open sugar is now being sold at Tk 140-145 in the capital. At the same time last year, its price was Tk 110-120. In January 2021, a kg of sugar can be bought for around Rs 60.

Prices of rice, pulses, edible oil, flour, onion, fish, meat and eggs are still high in the market like sugar. Every year in February, the price of winter vegetables drops drastically. Now it's the opposite. All in all, people are not at ease.

Awami League emphasized on price control in the election manifesto announced before the 12th National Parliament election held on January 7. After the new government came to power, the cabinet members are talking about various statements and measures to control the prices of products. Some products are exempt from duty. But it has no major impact on the market.

Government organization Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) account says that although the price of rice in the retail market did not decrease in a month, the price of narrow rice increased slightly. Prices of flour, flour, soybeans and palm oil, pulses, etc. have also not decreased. The price of potatoes has dropped significantly. The price has come down from Tk 80 to Tk 40 per kg. But last year at this time potato was Tk 20-25.

State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam spoke about the market situation at the lunch organized by Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dhaka (MCCI) yesterday. He said, "In the Muslim majority countries of the world, businessmen are generous during the holy month of Ramadan. Be a little charitable. But they see Ramadan as an opportunity in our country. To the businessmen, he added, "My sincere request to you, please be flexible this time."

The state minister for commerce said that the market management should be well organized. He said, visible progress will be seen from March 1. Apart from the place of production, the price of the product in different markets can be known through the website. Efforts are being made to find the source of the real problem and solve it without penalizing retailers for increasing the prices of daily commodities.

Onion prices are increasing

Onion prices are increasing in the market. Yesterday in Dhaka's caravan market, local onions were sold at Tk 110 to Tk 120 per kg. Representatives of Prothom Alo from Pabna and Faridpur, the place of onion production, said that the price per kg in the wholesale market stood at Tk 110.

Onions are being sold for Tk 100 to Tk 110 in the retail market of Dhaka for a week. There is a risk of price increase in the retail market as the wholesale price increases. TCB says, a month ago the price of onion was 70 to 90 taka. Last year at this time it was Rs 30 to Rs 38.

Babul Mia, a wholesale onion trader at Karwan Bazar, told Prothom Alo, "The price of good quality onions from Mokam is around Tk 117 per kg. We are selling them wholesale at Tk 120. He said, the cut onion season is coming. Finally, imports are decreasing, so The market is growing. At the end of three weeks, prices may come down if the desi hali (grown from seed) onions start emerging.