Dumuria (Khulna) Correspondent:

Ahead of the holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming 13th National Parliament elections, the prices of daily necessities are increasing in various markets of 14 unions of Dumuria upazila of Khulna. The prices of pulses, oil, sugar and chickpeas have increased in the space of a week, causing distress to ordinary buyers. However, relief has returned to the raw market as the prices of vegetables and new onions have decreased slightly.

Such a picture was seen on Saturday (January 24) when visiting various markets including Dumuria market. It was seen in some grocery shops in Chuknagar market of Dumuria upazila that the prices of daily necessities of edible oil have increased. A shopkeeper in Raisaheb market said that the price of a 5-liter bottle of soybean oil has increased by 50 taka. What was 900 taka earlier is now being sold for 950 taka. The price of lentils has increased by 25 taka per kg.

Currently, pulses are being sold for up to 165 taka depending on the quality. A kilogram of chickpeas was 90 taka a week ago, but now it has crossed 100 taka. In addition, the price of spices has doubled among other products. Cardamom, which was 3200 taka, is now 5500 taka. Potatoes, which were 400 taka, are now being sold for 800 taka. Raisins are being sold for 900 taka and almonds are being sold for 1,250 taka.

Shopkeepers said that the reason for the price increase is that VAT may have increased. That is why the prices have increased.

Depending on the product, the price of various Nestle baby foods such as Lactogen and Nido milk has increased by up to 50 taka per box. 2.5 kg Nido is now being sold for 3,200 taka. In addition, the price of all types of tea leaves has increased by 100 taka per kg.

In the fish and meat market, broiler chicken is being sold for 170-185 taka per kg and golden chicken for 290-300 taka. However, the most instability has been seen in the egg market. Eggs that were sold for 100 taka per dozen last week are being sold for 125 taka today.

Tipna Notun Rasta Bazar buyer Afzal Hossain told our Dumuria Khulna correspondent Sheikh Mahtab Hossain, “If prices cannot be controlled before the elections, the suffering of the common people will go beyond the limit.
Although there is instability in the grocery market, the price has come down due to adequate supply of local onions in the raw market.

Currently, new onions are available at Tk 50-55 per kg. Now, new local onions are available at Tk 50 to 55 per kg. And the majority of onions sold in the market are local. On the other hand, some onions imported from India are still being sold at Tk 70 or more.

In addition, the prices of winter vegetables are also on the decline. Among them, the price of cauliflower has come down from Tk 50 to Tk 35 to Tk 40. Cabbage is being sold at Tk 30 to 35 each. The price of new potatoes is being sold at Tk 30 to 35 depending on the quality and market. Among vegetables, beans are available at Tk 40 to 60. Brinjal is available at Tk 40 to 60 per kg depending on the quality, tomato at Tk 40 to It is being sold at a price of 50 taka per kg. Apart from this, other products in the market are being sold at the same price as before.

Meanwhile, after remaining stable for a few months, the price of chicken increased by 10 to 15 taka a week ago. Among the meat prices, the price of Guru's meat is the same as before in various markets. It is being sold at 800 taka per kg. That means it is still stuck at that increased price. Now, broiler chicken is being sold between 170 and 185 taka per kg. And the price of golden chicken has increased from 270 to 280 taka to 290 to 300 taka per kg.