Sugar prices rise ahead of Ramadan as onion, vegetable prices ease
After months of stability, sugar prices jumped Tk10 per kg. Loose sugar now sells at Tk100, while packaged varieties cost Tk100–105. Retailers link the rise to higher wholesale rates, with 50kg sacks up Tk300–400. Meanwhile, onion and winter vegetable prices have fallen due to increased supply across local markets nationwide.
After remaining stable for several months, the price of sugar has risen by Tk10 per kg in both loose and packaged forms.
Market visits found bulk sugar selling at Tk100 per kg, up from Tk90 a week earlier.
Packaged sugar is now priced between Tk100 and Tk105 per kg, compared to Tk90–95 previously, although products with the new rates have not yet reached all shops.
Retailers say the increase is linked to higher wholesale prices.
Miraj, a grocer in Lalbagh, said sugar prices have been rising in the wholesale market for about a week, which has pushed up retail rates.
He added that companies have increased prices for newly packaged sugar since last week.
In the wholesale market, the price of a 50kg sack has increased by Tk300–400, despite there being no shortage of supply in recent months.
In contrast, prices of onions and winter vegetables have declined as supply has increased.
Many vegetables are now selling at Tk50–60 per kg. Beans are priced at Tk30–45 per kg, down from Tk40–50 a week ago, while radish is selling at Tk30–35 per kg.
Aubergine prices have fallen to Tk40–60 per kg, and medium-sized cauliflower and cabbage remain at Tk20–30. Turnips and papaya are available at Tk30–40 per kg, and broccoli at Tk40–50.
However, prices of some out-of-season vegetables remain high. Pointed gourd, bitter gourd and okra are still selling at Tk70–80 per kg, while tomato prices have seen no significant change.
New-season local onions, which entered the market about a month ago, are now selling at Tk60–65 per kg, down from Tk130–150 initially. Imported onions are priced slightly higher at Tk65–70 per kg.
Habib, an onion seller in Hatirpool, said customers are buying more local onions due to the lower price. He added that prices of new potatoes have also declined, increasing demand and reducing sales of older stock.
Shoppers say the lower vegetable prices have brought some relief.
Mahin, who was shopping at Hatirpool, said that vegetables which previously cost Tk200–300 now fill an entire bag for the same amount, adding more variety to family meals.
There has also been some easing in egg and chicken prices. A dozen farm eggs are selling at Tk110–115, down from Tk120 a week ago.
Farm-reared chicken is priced at Tk170–180 per kg, while Sonali chicken is selling at Tk250–270 per kg, about Tk10 less than last week.
Chicken seller Kader said winter diseases and higher mortality risks prompt farmers to sell chickens earlier, while seasonal demand for eggs and chicken also tends to fall.
Fish prices, meanwhile, remain largely stable. Coral is selling at Tk700–900 per kg and Ayre at Tk700–800. Shing fish prices have fallen slightly to Tk300–400 per kg.
Tengra is priced at Tk600–700, Sarputi at Tk300–450, and Pangas and Silver Carp at Tk180–280 per kg.
In the shrimp market, large prawns are selling at Tk750–1,200 per kg, while small shrimp are priced between Tk1,000 and Tk1,200.
Consumers, however, continue to complain that reductions in wholesale fish prices are not fully reflected at the retail level.
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Source : The Business Standard
