Supply chain of nine key essential items under scrutiny

The government has decided to strictly examine every stage of the supply chain of nine key commodities so that consumers can buy the essential items at fair prices from the kitchen market, sources said.

The items are rice, edible oil, onion, egg, potato, pulse, sugar, green chili and cauliflower.

Different agencies of the government will first inspect the supply chain from import or production stage to consumers' end to analyse and identify the causes of price hikes, and prepare a detailed report based on the findings.

The Bangladesh Trade and Tariff commission (BTTC), Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) and the government's special agency (intelligence agency) will then shape up the report as per the set terms of references (ToRs).

The agriculture ministry will prepare reports on production costs of rice, onion, potato, pulse, green chili and cauliflower. The fisheries and livestock ministry and BTTC will prepare reports on the cost of egg edible oil and sugar respectively.

They will submit their respective reports within the next two weeks.

The ToRs include determining the price of goods, identifying the causes of the price spiral, spotting the participants in the supply chain - from producers, importers and traders to consumers - and fixing share rates of the participants who are involved in setting the prices of the essential items.

In a recent special meeting, the commerce adviser has asked the agencies concerned to prepare a detailed report about the supply management.

The government has taken the move to keep the prices of essential commodities within the buying capacity of the consumers across the country, an official at the commerce ministry said.

He added that throughout the year, the prices of many essential items increase abnormally despite available supply in the market. The bad practices, including unusual supply disruptions and price hikes, should be prevented for the greater interest of the people, he said.

Generally, prices of the essential kitchen items spike during the holy month of Ramadan, causing sufferings to the consumers. The government will stop these practices too, said the official.

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