Prices of essentials rise ahead of Covid restrictions
The prices of some essential commodities went up in the capital's wholesale and retail markets yesterday, a day before the start of the government-imposed week-long restrictions.
The prices of onion, garlic, potato and ginger rose by Tk 5-20 per kg at retail and wholesale markets.
The price of onion increased by Tk 5 per kg to Tk 35 at wholesale markets while it rose to Tk 40 at retail markets.
The price of ginger hiked by Tk 20 per kg to Tk 85 at wholesale markets, and rose to Tk 100 per kg at retail markets yesterday.
Garlics reached a price of Tk 110 per kg -- a hike of Tk 8 -- while potato prices increased Tk 3 per kg to Tk 20 at wholesale markets on the same day.
Besides, prices of other daily essentials including rice, oil, lentils rose by different margins over the last few days, in the lead-up to the month of Ramadan.
Since the seven-day restrictions were announced on Saturday, shoppers have been thronging grocery stores, super shops and kitchen markets in Dhaka.
Although kitchen markets will be open while maintaining government directives and health guidelines during the restriction period, shoppers were seen buying more essential commodities than needed.
This correspondent visited multiple kitchen and wholesale markets including Karwan Bazar and Mohammadpur Krishi Market and found a similar scenario.
Ahasan Habib, a shopper, said he was buying extra amounts out of fear of further price hikes; not of possible food shortages during the restrictions.
"The prices of daily necessities have continuously been rising over the last several days. If this continues, low-income people like us will have no choice," he said.
Golam Rahman, president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said with Ramadan looming and the seven-day restrictions, some wealthy people are buying more than necessary.
"So, buying extra items creates additional demand and taking advantage of that, traders increase prices. That's probably a big reason behind the price hikes," he said.
He said, "So if we are all restrained in purchasing, then the market will be stable."
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