Prices of essential commodities have increased in Cox’s Bazar’s kitchen markets, putting additional pressure on consumers, particularly over edible oils, eggs, pulses, and spices.
A visit to Cox’s Bazar Boro Bazar on Friday morning found that prices of almost all daily essentials had either increased slightly or were being sold at higher rates than before.
Onions were selling at Tk 40 per kilogram, while garlic and ginger were priced at Tk 160 per kilogram each.
Egg prices have also gone up, with a dozen eggs selling between Tk 135 and Tk 145.
Among pulses, fine lentils were being sold at Tk 160 per kilogram while coarse lentils were priced between Tk 80 and Tk 100 per kilogram.
The spice market has also seen significant price hikes. Coriander was selling at Tk 110 per kilogram, chilli powder at Tk 400 and turmeric powder at Tk 360 per kilogram.
Soybean oil was also being sold at higher prices following the government’s latest price adjustment announcement.
A market visit found that one litre of bottled soybean oil was selling at Tk 199, while two litres cost Tk 398 and five litres Tk 975.
A trader named Sarwar said that rising wholesale prices had directly affected the retail market.
He said that consumers were facing increasing pressure, particularly due to higher prices for edible oils, pulses, and spices.
Another vendor, Salim Ullah, said that customers compared current prices with previous rates almost every day.
‘But we are also purchasing products at higher prices, so it is not possible for us to sell at lower rates,’ he said.
Consumers complained that while essential prices continued to rise, incomes remained unchanged, making it increasingly difficult for middle- and low-income families to manage household expenses.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
