The prices of coarse rice, onion and sugar have increased within a week. On the other hand, vegetables, fish, meat and other essentials are still being sold at higher prices. Even the prices of eggs and broiler chickens have not decreased.
Visiting different kitchen markets in the capital on Friday, this correspondent saw an upward trend in the prices of essential commodities.
As per the market update, the price of coarse rice has increased further, adding to woes of the lowincome people. Even a week ago, the retail price of this rice was between Tk 52and Tk54 per kg, but on Fridayits price stood at Tk 56-Tk 58.
Traders said that due to unavailability of this rice, its price has gone up. However, a variety of Paijam rice is being sold at Tk 56-Tk 58 per kg.
Since past two weeks, the price of sugar has increased in the market. A kg of loose sugar is being sold at Tk 100 per kg that was between Tk 90 and Tk 95 earlier. And to buy packet sugar, one has to pay from Tk105 to Tk110 per kg depending on the company.
However, the price of sugar fixed by the government is much lower than this market rate. According to the latest price set by the government, loose sugar is expected to be sold at Tk 84 and packet sugar at Tk 89 per kg.
At the beginning of this month, the refiners proposed fixing the price of loose sugar at Tk90 per kg and packaged sugar at Tk95 bythe tariff commission. But in reality, their proposalhas not been accepted either, it is being sold at higher price of Tk10-Tk 15.
According to the traders,as the companies may increase the price of sugar, they have reduced the supply of this essential. Despite the demand in the wholesale market, sugar is not available at the previous price.
The price of onion has also gone up by Tk 5 to Tk 10 in the retail market. Onions are being sold at Tk 50 to Tk60 per kg that was Tk45 to Tk55 a week ago. Now the price of fresh local onionsstood at Tk 60 per kg.
