Khulna: Compared to previous years, this Ramadan, the prices of essential commodities, particularly vegetables, fish, chicken, and grocery items in Khulna, are cheaper, bringing relief to local customers. In the commodity market, prices have dropped by almost half before the beginning of Ramadan. This reduced price has brought relief to fasting consumers, while retailers are also pleased with increased sales.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, while visiting several city’s kitchen markets including Borobazar, KDA New Market, Shandha Bazar, Gallamari Bazar, Notun Bazar, Mistripara Bazar, Sheikhpara Bazar, Chitrali Bazar, and Daulatpur Bazar, it was observed that buyers are able to get essentials within their purchasing capability. Due to the proper supply of goods, prices have reduced, allowing consumers to purchase vegetables, chicken, fish, fruits, and other essential commodities as needed.
Strict market supervision and monitoring activities by the government have ensured that most essentials, including chicken, fish, sugar, dates, onions, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggs, garlic, chilies, ginger, and various pulses, are available at cheaper prices compared to Ramadan last year. Earlier, to ensure cheaper prices during the holy month of Ramadan, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) removed VAT on several essential goods and reduced the import duty on essential commodities such as dates, rice, pulses, sugar, and oil to zero. The recent reduction in import duty on fruits has also brought relief to fasting people.
During a visit to several markets in the city, it was observed that broiler chicken is priced at Tk 180-190 per kg, Cok chicken at Tk 240-250 per kg, Sonali at Tk 240-250 per kg, and local chicken at Tk 500-520 per kg, each selling for Tk 20-40 less per kg compared to last year. Besides, mutton is being sold at Tk 1050-1100 per kg, while beef is priced at Tk 740-750 per kg, with both prices being Tk 50-70 lower than last year. The prices of many fish in the kitchen markets are lower than in the previous year, with sellers from Gallamari Bazar noting an increase in the supply of farming and sea fish.
Sugar is being sold at Tk 120-125 per kg, down from Tk 150-160 last year. The price of normal dates has fallen to Tk 200-250 per kg from Tk 250-280, while mid-range and premium quality dates are being sold at Tk 400-700 and Tk 900-1,800 respectively, Tk 50-200 per kg lower than last year. Local onions are now available at Tk 20-40 per kg, significantly lower than last year’s Tk 100-120. Meanwhile, prices of edible oil are stable, with one litre bottled oil being sold at Tk 175 and open oil per litre at Tk 160.
Currently, the prices of essential commodities including vegetables are as follows: potatoes at Tk 25 per kg, brinjal at Tk 20-25, tomatoes at Tk 10, beans at Tk 20, cabbage at Tk 10, cauliflower at Tk 10, okra at Tk 60, bitter gourd at Tk 15-25, carrots at Tk 25, papaya at Tk 25, bottle gourd at Tk 20-30, sweet pumpkin at Tk 25, cucumber at Tk 20, green chilies at Tk 50, ginger at Tk 80-120, garlic at Tk 50-70, chickpeas at Tk 90-100, lentils at Tk 100 per kg, and broiler eggs at Tk 9-11 per piece.
Retailers like Mostafizur Rahman and Sagir Mia from Sandha Bazar confirmed that lower essential prices allow for uninterrupted purchases, resulting in higher sales and profits. Government measures were praised by individuals like Sumon Mallik, an employee of Modhumoti printing press, who noted the satisfactory pricing due to abundant supply.
Manik, a chicken trader from Sandha Bazar, attributed the lower prices to government monitoring activities. Shahidul, a fish trader at Borobazar Bazar, noted a normal fish supply and increased demand with Ramadan’s arrival. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) in Khulna plays a crucial role in monitoring the markets, preventing unscrupulous traders and hoarders from destabilizing essential market prices.
Md Walid-Bin-Habib, Assistant Director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate, Khulna office, highlighted that market monitoring is actively underway to prevent price manipulation and avoid any artificial shortages of essential goods during Ramadan.