Over the past month, essential commodities such as spices, vegetables, potatoes, sugar, fish, and pulses have experienced significant price hikes, adding to the difficulties faced by consumers. The price of onions, in particular, has skyrocketed by 100 percent, reaching Tk 80-90 per kilogram at the retail level. Ginger and cumin seed prices have also reached record highs, with various ginger varieties selling at Tk 300-340 per kilogram and the Chinese variety at Tk 450-460. Cumin seed is being retailed at Tk 950-1,000 per kilogram, while large companies are trading packet cumin powder at up to Tk 1,150 per kilogram. Potatoes have seen an average price increase of 42 percent, reaching Tk 40-45 per kilogram.
Sugar prices, despite being set by the government at Tk 120-125 per kilogram, have risen to Tk 140-150 after Eid-ul-Fitr. Lentils, pointed gourd, tomatoes, and carrots have also experienced notable price hikes. Value-chain expert has pointed out that large traders and companies raised prices before Ramadan, and prices further increased after Eid. Market manipulation and higher import costs have contributed to these abnormal price increases. To address the situation, experts suggest the government should rationalize import duties, implement effective regulatory measures, and take strict actions against wrongdoers..