CHATTOGRAM: Prices of almost all essential commodities that sky-rocketed due to price hike of fuel and appreciation of US dollars against Bangladeshi taka still retain their uptrend in the port city markets battering the commoners.
Traders are selling the items both locally produced and imported- including rice, onion, edible oil, chicken, green chili and beef- at exorbitant prices turning it difficult for the townspeople to make the two ends meet.
Middle-class and low-income group people are the worst sufferers due to the unusual price escalation of the staples- such as rice, salt and sugar.
They are forced to maintain their living by cutting their monthly family budget.
While visiting different kitchen markets of the port city, including Kazir Dewri, Karnaphuli Complex, Baharddarhat and Chawkbazar this correspondent found that the price of Indian onion was hiked by Tk8 to Tk 10 per kilogram from the price last week and the key cooking ingredient was selling at Tk38 to Tk 40 per kg.
The price of onion has been hiked in the local markets though there is sufficient stock of the item.
On the other hand, Mohammed Idris, general secretary of Chattogram Onion Importers Association, said import of onion from India remains stopped now. Consequently, its price is on the rise."
Besides, soybean oil is selling at the local markets at Tk195 to Tk200 per kg. Per kilogram chicken is available at Tk180 which was Tk160 earlier and beef is selling Tk 750 to 850 (per kilogram) which was Tk 600 to Tk 650 earlier.
Retailers at the city's different markets were selling sugar, edible oil, gram (chhola), onion, brinjal and potato at Tk two to five higher per KG than the prices on the lists posted at their shops.
Abdul Halim, a retailer of Battery Goli Market, said, "We're not making a huge profit but selling essentials at two or three taka higher per kilogram than the wholesale prices." Aysha Begum, a housewife, said, "Commodities are available here and there. But the traders are raising prices more and more."
Kamal Uddin, a service holder said, "We cannot maintain our family due to price spiral of essentials."
Talking with FE, President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Mahbubul Alam said, "The price surge of essentials is a common scene now in the world market. The situation mostly resulted from the sky-rocketing of the US Dollar."
He further said, "The importers are importing wheat and other essentials from Russia at high prices and selling those in the local markets at low prices. The businessmen are thus providing services to the country's people."
"Besides, transport cost has increased due to the price hike of fuel. So, the higher price of fuel is behind the price spiral of essentials," he added.
Chairman of BSRM Group Abul Bashar Abu said, "Increase in prices of dollars as well as fuel is the prime cause of price hike of imported essentials like rice, sugar, soybean oil etc."
General Secretary of Chaktai Khatunganj Arotdar Samity Md Mohiuddin said, "Increase in the rate of dollar in the international market is influencing the price surge of commodities on the local market. Besides, the increase in fuel price is also responsible for the price hike of all goods."
Long lines in front of the TCB outlets for buying essentials at subsidised rates is a regular scene in the city.
Marginal people in their hundreds wait in the lines in front of TCB trucks regularly to avail low-priced commodities distributed by the government's trading agency.
