Commodity prices rise in Ctg ahead of Ramadan

Prices of many Ramadan essentials have increased both in retail and wholesale markets in Chittagong ahead of the holy month despite a rise in imports in the past four months. 

More than 1.38 lakh tonnes of chickpea were imported through Chittagong port in the four months to April, up from 81,078 tonnes in the period last year, according to Chittagong customs house.

The demand for the commodity increases to around 70,000 tonnes during Ramadan, which will begin in the third week of June, from 20,000 tonnes in a usual month, traders said.

Despite an adequate supply of chickpea, its price is on the rise, they said.

Chickpea is currently selling at Tk 2,020 a maund in the wholesale markets of Khatunganj, up from Tk 1,920 a maund 10 days ago, said Ashutosh Chowdhury, a wholesaler.

He blamed the hike in prices ahead of the month of fasting on a price spiral in the international markets.

The price hike in the wholesale markets is due to a rise in prices at retail shops, said Md Absar, a retailer.

Retailers in Karnaphuli CDA market are now selling gram at Tk 60-Tk 62 a kg against Tk 55 a week ago, he said.

In Khatunganj, wholesalers are selling different varieties of lentils at Tk 82 to Tk 100, compared to Tk 75 to Tk 90 a month ago.

According to the customs house, around 7.30 lakh tonnes of edible oil, more than 2.91 lakh tonnes of sugar, over 81,000 tonnes of lentils and around 41,000 tonnes of peas were imported through the Chittagong port in the last four months. 

However, the retail price of sugar rose by Tk 2 within a week to reach its current level at Tk 40 a kg.

Mobile courts will be set up in different markets to monitor the prices, weight and quality of the commodities, Mejbah Uddin, deputy commissioner of Chittagong, said at a programme to mark the 12th World Metrology Day in the port city yesterday.