On the eve of the fasting month of Ramadan, prices of some essentials like lentil, sugar and ginger have registered yet another round of hike. This is on top of the price increase of rice. Both the staple and essentials started to become dear since mid-March amidst the apprehension of a countrywide lockdown. Although it was never called a countrywide lockdown, the extended closure, holiday and area-centric contingency together ultimately led to a practical lockdown. What is of serious concern is the uncertainty over the period of such a shutdown of public life, business and industries. The situation is likely to affect the holy month of Ramadan which is about to begin. In a trying time like this, the price hike of essentials in great demand during the Ramadan comes as an additional worry no doubt. For the devotees, however, it could as well be a test of austerity.
All varieties of lentil have reportedly become dearer by Tk 10-20 a kilogram. Although chickpea -- an item in high demand during the month of fasting -- has not been mentioned in the report, there is every reason to apprehend that it would not lag behind so far as price escalation is concerned. The views expressed by a leading wholesale lentil trader about the price increase of lentil and other essentials are more or less right. Panic buying earlier and supply shrinkage on account of closure of crushers were partly responsible for shortage of the item. But what has not been mentioned is the drastic decline in demand too. A large number of people now out of work do not purchase such items, instead they have become completely dependent on charity or food aid. On that count, the demand should not outpace supply. Unless traders themselves initiate a price escalation as they do every year before the month of fasting, the price could have stabilised, particularly in consideration of the extraordinary situation and the hardships of people.
Traders in this part of the world, as against the generous rebate and discount on commodities their counterparts in many other countries offer, are accustomed to fleecing the consumers on festive occasions. This year could have been an exception to their usual practice. More so, because the leader of the wholesale lentil traders' association assures, there is no shortage of such items and during the holy month the lentil market should normalise. He has claimed import of the items has been made to meet the extra demand during the month.
If this is so, the wholesalers could have resisted the temptation of raising prices of items on the eve of Ramadan. The argument in their favour is the problem of transport to carry the essentials to different destinations. On this count, one effective solution is to form a pool of trucks, use goods trains where possible and cargoes for transportation of essentials along with perishable items. The government could do it under the supervision of the district and upazila administration. This would have ensured supply of agricultural produces from all corners of the land and also distribution of imported commodities all across the country. But it is the mindset of traders that acts as a deciding factor.
