With Eid-ul-Azha just around the corner, demand for spices across the country, including Cox’s Bazar, reaches its peak.
In 2024, prices of several essential commodities such as edible oil, rice, and wheat surged, creating market instability.
However, a recent survey of Cox’s Bazar’s main market shows that prices of many items, especially spices, have started to decline.
Rahim Ullah, a trader at the Boro Bazar, said that with the prices of essential spices lower compared to the same period last year, general consumers are feeling some relief ahead of the Eid preparations.
This is also encouraging for the traders. However, cardamom prices remain somewhat high.
At Cox’s Bazar wholesale market, the current prices cumin were (jeera) Tk600–Tk610 per kg, where thick cinnamon were at Tk380–Tk390, thin cinnamon at Tk450–Tk460, bay leaves at Tk130–Tk140, cloves at Tk1,260, black pepper at Tk1,090, coriander at Tk130, fenugreek at Tk120, black cumin at 360–365 BDT, mustard seeds at Tk95–Tk97, cardamom at Tk4,000–Tk6,00.
Moreover, local turmeric is priced at Tk195–Tk200 per kg, imported turmeric at Tk230–Tk235, local chili at Tk135–Tk140, and imported chili Tk240–250 per kilogram.
A customer named Jahir, who came for shopping, said that spice prices were much higher last year but seem somewhat lower this year.
He added that if the prices of cardamom and a few other spices also dropped, it would better fit the purchasing power of common people.
Another shopper said that the slight relief in market prices brings happiness to the middle and lower-income groups.
“We are satisfied with the current price situation and hope this trend continues steadily,” he added.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Hussain Shetu
