DHAKA: With the holy month of Ramadan just round the corner, the usual practice of profiteering casts its shadow before as an upturn in the prices of essentials in the city markets started hitting the commoners.

Prices of sugar, ginger, garlic and onions witnessed a sharp rise while powdered pulse, gram and onion prices remained high but steady.

Edible oil prices, however, took a down turn after the first week of the current month.

But green chili is getting hotter. On Saturday, green chili sold at Tk 100 on the retail market and Tk 80 to Tk 90 on the wholesale market.

After visiting different kitchen markets, including Hatirpul, Kathalbagan, Karwan Bazar and New Market, the banglanews24.com.bd correspondent reports that sugar price shot up by Tk 40 to 50 each sack.

A sack of sugar would cost Tk 2,070 during the first week of the current month, which is now Tk 2,120.

The retail price of sugar is Tk 48 to Tk 50 for a kilogram, which varies in different markets.

Garlic sold at Tk 150 per kilo, which now sells at Tk 150 to 160 per kilo at Karwan Bazar. The price was only Tk 125 per kilo five days ago. Ginger sold at Tk 90 per kilo, but now at Tk 100 per kilo.

Edible oil prices came down by Tk 20 to 50 for per drum, said Khaleque, a retailer at Karwan Bazar.

Moyeen, another seller, said price of Rupchanda soybean oil remained unchanged for the last six months.

Domestic pulses sold at Tk 105 to 110 per kilo while imported varieties (Indian) at Tk 80 per kilo.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) president Kazi Faruk told banglanews24.com.bd that the impact of Ramadan started impacting on the market prices of different essentials, especially on sugar, gram, pulses and onions.

Traders take preparation to raise price two months prior to the commencement of the month of fasting and festivals in absence of government control, he observed.

He also took with a grain of salt Commerce Ministry and FBCCI initiatives to control the traders and price spirals.

“Every year, both the Commerce Ministry and the business apex body FBCCI take initiative to control price rises, but they never succeed,” he said.

A spokesman for the FBCCI told banglanews24.com.bd that the taskforce formed to look into prices of essentials ahead of Ramadan sat for a meeting and would visit the markets soon.

BDST: 1930 HRS, JULY 17, 2010.