More items join price hike race

Soybean oil which saw several rounds of rise in the last few months marked further rise. Fish prices soared further and is likely to become more dearer as local fishes will not be sufficiently available in the coming months.

However, prices of vegetables, farm chicken, eggs and onions remained static. Meat and rice prices also did not mark rise.

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In the city markets yesterday, a two-kilogram packet of atta was selling at Tk 36 which was Tk 28 only a week ago.

Pulses, especially masur (lentil), became dearer. Lentil price increased by Tk 3-4 and was selling at Tk 50-52 per kilogram. Prices of tinned or packed powdered milk rose by Tk 8-10 per kilogram last week.

Soybean oil, which made its last round of rise only two weeks ago, rose further to Tk 58-60 per litre. It was selling at Tk 52 just after Eid. A five-litre container is now priced at Tk 280-290, up by Tk 15-20.

Side by side, prices of mustard and palm oil also went up by Tk 4-5 per litre.

In the Karwan Bazar market, fish traders were demanding exorbitant prices despite sufficient supply of different varieties.

Local ruhi was selling at Tk 160-170 per kilogram which was Tk 140-150 two weeks earlier and Tk 100-120 just before Eid. Imported varieties, which were Tk 80-100 before Eid, now being sold at Tk 110-130. Prawn sells at Tk 200-250 per kilogram depending on their sizes and local cat fish at Tk 300-350. However 'African' cat fish is still cheaper and sells at Tk 75-85 per kilogram. Pabda has become dearer by at least Tk 150 and sells at Tk 550-600 a kilogram. Other varieties of fishes have also marked a similar rise.

Farm chickens were still selling at Tk 55-60 per kilogram and eggs Tk 36-38 per dozen. Beef sells at Tk 80-90 and mutton at Tk 160-170.

Local and Indian onions are static at Tk 18 and 20.

Market sources said prices of both onions and soybean oil are unlikely to go down before April because of 'some import factors'.

Meanwhile, ginger prices jumped to Tk 46-48 from last week's 40-42 per kilogram.

Among vegetables, potato sells at Tk 8-10 per kilogram, local beans Tk 10-12, tomato Tk 10-12, carrot Tk 10-12, green tomato Tk 12-14, radish Tk 6-8, cucumber Tk 15-16, paupa Tk 7-8, brinjal Tk 12-14, green chilli at Tk 30-35. However gourd prices are high and sells at Tk 20-25 a piece.