Uncontrolled prices of daily essentials leave consumers struggling as public anger mounts

❐ Special Correspondent

The prices of daily necessities in the country’s market have now reached an uncontrollable level. The common people are in extreme distress due to the abnormal increase in prices. With the simultaneous increase in the prices of several products including chicken, edible oil, sugar, LPG and vegetables, many are forced to buy less than they need, while some are leaning towards comparatively cheaper products.

Whenever you go to the market, you can hear that ordinary people are openly expressing their anger. The prices of goods have gone beyond the reach of not only the lower class but also the middle class. Unpleasant incidents are also happening due to the anger and arguments between buyers and sellers. And people are blaming government mismanagement for all this.

According to market participants, this situation has been created due to the instability of the international energy market, uncertainty in supply and the impact of increasing transportation costs. Due to the fuel crisis in the country, the supply of goods is being disrupted due to the increase in transportation costs, which is directly affecting the market prices.

A visit to various markets across the country, including the capital, has shown that the price of chicken has increased the most. Golden chicken, an important source of protein, is currently being sold at 430 to 450 taka per kg, which was 270 to 320 taka a month ago. The price of broiler chicken has stood at 190 to 200 taka. This has had an impact on the beef market, where the price per kg is not falling below 800 taka.

The edible oil market is also in turmoil. Due to supply shortages, the prices of both bulk and bottled oils have increased. Bulk soybean oil is being sold at Tk 190 to 195 per liter and palm oil at Tk 184 to 185, which were between Tk 175 to 180 and Tk 165 to 170, respectively, a month ago. Although the fixed price of bottled soybean oil is Tk 195, it is being sold in the market for about Tk 200.

The sugar market has also seen an upward trend. Before Eid, sugar was sold at Tk 95 to 100 per kilogram, but now it has increased to Tk 105.

Traders said that the edible oil crisis has intensified due to less supply than demand. The increase in prices in the international market and the increase in import costs are affecting the domestic market. In addition, the increase in transportation costs due to the fuel crisis is also one of the reasons for the price increase. Buyers said that syndicates are also eager to increase prices by taking advantage of these opportunities.

Consumers said the biggest shock has come to cooking gas. Although the price of 12 kg LPG was hiked by Tk 387 in April to Tk 1,728, it is alleged that it is not available in the market for less than Tk 2,000. This has created additional pressure on lower and middle class families.

There is no relief in the vegetable market either. The prices of almost all types of vegetables have increased by Tk 20 to 30 per kg compared to before Eid. Most vegetables, including bitter gourd, barbati and dhundal, are being sold at Tk 100 per kg in various markets in the capital. Vendors say that the prices have increased due to fuel shortage, increased transportation costs, rains and reduced supply due to the end of the season.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) said that the inflation rate in March fell to 8.71 percent, from more than 9 percent in February. However, this data does not match the actual market situation.

Consumer rights leaders say that the lives of people with limited incomes are becoming difficult due to continuous price increases. The cost of transportation is increasing due to the fuel crisis. In addition, unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the lack of market supervision and selling products at excessive prices.

According to them, the decline in farm-level production has led to a shortage in the supply of chicken, which is one of the reasons for the price increase. Although the prices of potatoes and onions have remained relatively stable, the overall instability in the daily commodities market has increased the suffering of consumers.