Vegetable, chicken prices soar in Ramadan

At the start of the holy month of Ramadan, prices of almost all the vegetables and other essentials used for preparing iftar items shot up further at different kitchen markets of the district town.

Many consumers alleged that taking the opportunity of weak market monitoring by the officials concerned, some dishonest traders are charging high prices for the essential items.

As a result, within just two to three days of the beginning of Ramadan, prices of various kinds of vegetables increased by Tk 10 to Tk 30 per kg, which badly hit people especially from low and fixed-income groups.

Mohammad Ali, a vegetable vendor at a Faridpur kitchen market, said brinjal was selling at Tk 80 a kg, although the price was Tk 50 only two days ago.

Besides, green chilli was selling for Tk 60 per kg, which was Tk 30, while bitter gourd was selling for Tk 80 a kg compared to Tk 50 only two days ago. 

The prices of cucumber went up by Tk 20 a kg, while ladies finger, papaya and snake gourd prices rose by Tk 10 per kg, compared to the previous two days.

Consumer Nasir Lasker of Kamlapur area in the town said, “It is really tough for low and fixed-income group people to buy vegetables at present market prices compared to the previous days.”

Meanwhile, prices of chicken went up by Tk 30 to Tk100 a kg.

Poultry trader Nur Mia said per kg of Sonali chicken was selling at Tk 280 from Tk 180 while poultry chicken is priced at Tk 150 from Tk 120 only two weeks ago.

District Market Monitoring Officer Sahadat Hossain said the essentials' prices have risen due to higher demand in Ramadan.