Despite governmental assurances to regulate the prices of essential commodities, markets continue to reflect a different reality.
The scarcity of soybean oil persists even after a price hike of Tk8 per litre two months ago.
Many shops remain out of stock, while staple items like rice and poultry have shown no signs of price reduction.
Broiler chicken is still being sold at Tk200 per kg, while Sonali chicken costs Tk320 per kg.
With Ramadan approaching, the prices of essential vegetables such as aubergines, cucumbers, green chillies, and lemons have surged within a week.
A survey across several markets on Friday (21 February), coupled with insights from traders and consumers, confirmed these trends.
Poultry and meat prices hold firm
Faiz Khan, a poultry trader at Hatirpool market, remarked, "With Ramadan approaching, prices will not decrease. Broiler chicken is now selling between Tk200 and 210 per kg, while Sonali chicken costs between Tk300 and 320 per kg. Even if the government imposes price caps, poultry is seldom available at those rates."
Similarly, Mohammad Bellal Hossain, owner of a broiler shop at Mohammadpur Town Hall market, stated that prices remain unchanged, with broiler chicken at Tk200 per kg and Sonali chicken at Tk300 per kg.
Vendors in Karwan Bazar reported that broiler chicken ranges between Tk200 and 210 per kg, Sonali between Tk300 and 310 per kg, and local chicken between Tk550 and 600 per kg.
Meanwhile, Sonali crossbreed chicken is being sold at Tk280 per kg.
Beef continues to sell between Tk700 and 750 per kg, while mutton is priced between Tk1,050 and 1,100 per kg.
The price of eggs remains stable at Tk130 to 135 per dozen.
Fish prices remain unaffected
Similar to meat, fish prices have not seen any decline.
Rui and Katla fish, depending on size, are being sold between Tk320 and 450 per kg.
Pabda fish is priced between Tk400 and 500 per kg, while Tilapia and Pangas range between Tk180 and 250 per kg.
Soybean oil supply shortages persist
On 9 December, the government increased the price of bottled soybean oil by Tk8 per litre, setting it at Tk175, while loose soybean oil was fixed at Tk157 per litre.
Despite this, shortages persist, with one-litre bottles available but two-litre bottles largely absent from shelves.
Similarly, while some stores stock two-litre bottles, five-litre containers are rarely available. Where available, traders are charging higher-than-fixed prices.
Bangladesh Vegetable Oil Refiners and Vanaspati Manufacturers Association assured in a consumer meeting last Sunday that soybean oil supply would improve after 24 February, eliminating any shortages.
Price surge in Ramadan ingredients
With Ramadan nearing, the cost of key iftar ingredients has risen significantly in just a few days.
Prices of aubergines, cucumbers, lemons, and green chillies have surged by Tk10 to 20 per kg.
Cauliflower and cabbage prices have also increased, along with a general rise in vegetable prices.
Vegetable vendors reported that hyacinth beans are being sold at Tk40 to 50 per kg, tomatoes at Tk30 to 40, papaya at Tk40 to 50, carrots at Tk40 to 50, cauliflower at Tk20 to 30 per piece, cabbage at Tk25 to 30 per piece, and bottle gourd at Tk60 to 70 per piece.
Green chillies are being sold at Tk80 to 120 per kg, cucumbers at Tk50 to 80, aubergines at Tk50 to 70 per kg, and lemons at Tk60 to 70 per four-piece set.
Other essentials hold their prices
Retail traders observed that potatoes continue to sell at Tk20 to 25 per kg, onions at Tk40 to 50 per kg, local ginger at Tk160 to 180, imported ginger at Tk220, local garlic at Tk160, and imported garlic at Tk240 per kg.
Rice prices remain high, with Miniket rice selling between Tk72 and 85 per kg, Atash rice at Tk62 to 65 per kg, and coarse rice at Tk54 to 56 per kg.
However, prices of chickpeas and sugar have not increased despite Ramadan’s approach.
Chickpeas are priced between Tk110 and 115 per kg, lentils between Tk110 and 135, mung dal at Tk180, and sugar between Tk120 and 125 per kg.
As the holy month of Ramadan draws closer, consumers are feeling the financial strain, with prices of daily essentials showing no signs of abating despite government interventions.
