CHATTOGRAM: Prices of chickpeas keep on rising in the Chattogram wholesale market, increasing the prices of the widely consumed item in the retail market far ahead of Ramadan.
The wholesalers at Khatunganj, Chaktai and Asadganj in the port city are selling chickpeas at high prices. Within the last one week, the price of a maund (37.32kg) of chickpeas has increased by Tk 200-250, depending on quality.
Common buyers are blaming the syndicate for making the chickpea market unstable despite sufficient imports.
On Thursday last, average quality chickpeas were sold for Tk 2,800 per maund and good quality chickpeas Tk 3,100 at Khatunganj - country's largest consumer goods market. Just after two days, on Sunday, the average quality chickpeas were sold at Tk 2,985 per maund and high quality chickpeas at Tk 3,246 a maund.
On Tuesday, average quality chickpeas were sold at Tk 3,050 per maund and high quality chickpeas at Tk 3,460 per maund.
During the month of Ramadan in 2021, chickpeas were sold at Tk 60-62 per kg in the retail market. In 2022, a kg was sold at Tk 74-75.
This time the product is being sold at a higher price even one and a half months ahead of Ramadan. Last week, average chickpeas were sold at Tk 78 per kg and good quality at Tk 85. But this week average chickpeas are being sold at Tk 84 and good quality at TK 105 per kg.
Sources said an ample quantity of chickpeas has been imported in the last seven months.
Meanwhile, another 76,000 tonnes of chickpeas are on the way to Chattogram port. After opening the letter of credit (LC), it takes about two months for the goods to arrive in Chattogram. The ships loaded with additional chickpeas are expected to arrive at Chittagong port within this month, added the sources.
Despite having sufficient imports, the chickpea markets at Khatunganj, Chaktai and Asadganj are not under control. Traders claimed that many importers have been unable to import chickpeas due to the dollar crisis.
Generally, there is an average demand of 70,000 tonnes of chickpeas every year. However, according to the information of Chittagong Customs House, about 97,000 tonnes of chickpeas were imported from India and Australia through Chittagong port in the last seven months.
Of the amount, about 54,000 tonnes of chickpeas were imported in six months from July to December, 2022, while 43,000 tonnes of chickpeas were imported in January of the current year.
It is reported that the price of chickpeas is at the lowest level in the international market. Currently, Indian chickpeas are selling at $680 and Australian chickpeas at $580 per tonnes.
Vice President of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) SM Najer Hossain said that the booking price of chickpeas in the international market is low.
"On top of that, there has been sufficient import of chickpeas even in the current critical situation," he said.
"In other countries of the world, during Ramadan, traders themselves try to control the prices of goods as much as possible. But, in our country, dishonest businessmen keep looking for excuses even two months before Ramadan, about how to increase the prices of pulses, chickpeas, sugar and other essential products."
"Therefore, whether the traders are hoarding the products and increasing the price of the products due to the manipulation of the syndicate should be kept under surveillance from now on," he suggested.
