After several weeks of stable prices, chicken costs in the kitchen market have begun to rise, while lemon prices have surged just ahead of Ramadan.
Prices of other essential commodities remain largely stable compared to previous years.
Vendors reported that unlike previous years, when prices of some products rise a month before Ramadan, most items this year have remained steady or even declined. Products such as sugar, chickpeas, and onions, which usually see price spikes, are currently affordable.
Fresh market items like lemons and cucumbers, however, are exceptions. Typically, their prices peak on the first day of Ramadan, but this year they began rising earlier. On Friday, February 6, lemon bundles in Dhaka markets sold for Tk 60–80 each, up from Tk 35–40 a week ago. Smaller bundles, previously Tk 20, now cost Tk 30–40.
Cucumbers are being sold at Tk 60–70 per kilogram, with some markets pricing them at Tk 80. Eggplants are available for Tk 60–100 per kilogram. Retailers noted that lemon prices began rising two days before Shab-e-Barat due to higher demand for lemon juice during Iftar. Limited supply has also resulted in some underdeveloped lemons entering the market.
Prices of most other daily necessities remain largely unchanged. Chickpeas sell for 80–100 Taka per kilogram, down from Tk 90–110 a month ago. Compared to the same period last year, prices have decreased from Tk 115–130. Ankhar dal is priced at Tk 55–60 per kilogram, while larger Masur dal is available at Tk 90–100, down from Tk 105–110 last year.
Sugar has stabilised at Tk 100–105 per kilogram, compared to Tk 120–125 last year. Onion prices remain moderate at Tk 40–50 per kilogram following the arrival of the new season crop.
Cooking oil prices are as follows: bottled soybean oil at Tk 190–195 per liter, loose soybean oil at Tk 175–185, and loose palm oil at Tk 155–162 per liter.
Farm eggs are now available at Tk 105–115 per dozen. Broiler chicken prices have increased to Tk 180–190 per kilogram, Tk 10 higher than before. Sonali chicken is selling at Tk 320–330 per kilogram, up from Tk 280–300 before Shab-e-Barat.
NH/MHK