The recent price hike of red meat and chicken seem to be too costly discouraging common people from buying the primary protein.
During visits to some of the city kitchen markets it was observed that the meat and chicken shops are literally empty in sharp contrast to large crowds surrounding chicken and meat shops on other days a few weeks ago.
There are fewer customers at meat and chicken shops as prices increased by at least Tk 40 to 70 per kilogram on an average. The latest price of broiler chicken now stands at Tk 250 which used to be Tk 180 a few days ago. Meat is sold at Tk 750 to Tk 800 per kg while mutton is sold at Tk 1100 almost per kg. Both, meat and mutton used to be at least Tk 150 cheaper last week.
Low income people are trying to survive with their small income and depending on other sources of proteins which they find affordable. On the other hand, traders are saying they have also become the victim of such anarchy.
According to traders due to the high price of meat and mutton, people who used to depend largely on chicken are now searching for alternative sources for the last couple of weeks.
Based on market data, it was also learned that gram, anker lentil, gram flour and tang prices have gone up while prices of sugar, oil, flour remain unchanged.
At present, Tang, different flavoured powder drink, is being sold at Tk 1400 to Tk 1500, gram is being sold at Tk 95 to Tk 100 per kg, anker lentil is being sold at Tk 80 per kg, gram flour at Tk 100 per kg.
Consumers said, only a few days left for the start of fasting month. Oil, sugar, gram, pulses, dates and onions are in high demand every year during the month of Ramadan. Unscrupulous businessmen increased the prices based on the demand of these products.
Such increasing trend in prices of essentials are of great concern for the low income people. Traders said they have no choice but to increase prices due to fuel price, dollar and LC crisis, according to them. a
