Published :
Updated :
For all latest news, follow The Financial Express Google News channel.
Prices of rice, flour and sugar remained much higher last week in Dhaka city, although vegetables, chickens and egg showed a slight decline in value.
The sugar market remained volatile as many groceries ran out of the item while it was selling at Tk 110-118 a kg higher compared to the government-fixed rate.
The FE visited different groceries only to find sugar sold at Tk 115-125 a kg against the government's maximum retail price of Tk 102 for loose and Tk 108 a kg for branded sugar.
The government fixed the rates in consultation with refiners.
"But long after three weeks, the market is yet to be normal," Kabir Ahmed, a grocer at Shekhertek in Mohammadpur neighbourhood, told the FE.
"We have placed an order for sugar a month back but are yet to get it from the dealer," he said.
Few traders are charging Tk 5,700 per 50-kg sack (Tk 114 a kg), but they have a provision of not giving any voucher, he said.
Md Belayet, a grocer in Modhubazar area, said he bought sugar at Tk 115 a kg and was selling at Tk 125 a kg.
He said companies almost stopped supplying packet sugar as selling loose sugar is much more profitable now.
Bangladesh consumes 2.0-2.2 million tonnes of sugar annually. It produces only 28,000 tonnes a year.
Major refiners brought 2.0-2.4 million tonnes to meet the gigantic domestic demand, according to both commerce ministry and revenue board.
Meanwhile, rice sold at the previous highs of Tk 54-56 a kg coarse, Tk 62-65 medium and Tk 78-98 finer.
Finer flour or maida was sold at an all-time high of Tk 85 a kg and coarse flour or atta at Tk 75 a kg in the city retail markets.
Meanwhile, vegetable and potato prices showed a slight decline amid a rise in supply.
Newly harvested potatoes were sold at Tk 40-50 a kg and green tomatoes at Tk 30-40.
Safiar Rahman, a vendor at Rayerbazar, said they sold turnip at Tk 40, cabbage and cauliflower at Tk 30-40 apiece and local beans at Tk 40-50.
Brinjal sold at Tk 40-60 a kg and leafy Tk 15-30 a bunch based on quality.
Prices have showed a Tk 5.0-15 decline a kg/bunch/apiece in the last two weeks amid a rise in supply from major vegetable growing hubs, according to Mr Rahman.
However, the mature tomato was still much pricey as it was sold at Tk 120-140 a kg on Friday.
Broiler and Pakistani or Sonali prices witnessed a Tk 15-30 plunge a kg as broiler was sold at Tk 155-165 and Pakistani at Tk 250-260 a kg, according to kitchen market traders.
Farm egg prices showed a Tk 6.0-10 decline a dozen in a week as was sold at Tk 112-118 the same day.
On the other hand, beef, mutton, fish and milk remained the same at their previous highs.