Ginger, garlic get dearer in city
BI Report || BusinessInsider
Photo: Business Insider Bangladesh
The prices of local and Chinese varieties of ginger and garlic rose in city markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha festival, amid ongoing strict shutdown, market sources said.
The prices of these spices spiralled by around Tk 30 to Tk 50 for a kilogram, in a week.
Garlic and ginger prices also varied in different kitchen markets, across the city.
An upward trend in prices was tabulated by this correspondent while visiting the capital's Mohammadpur Agricultural Market, Mirpur Section 1 vegetable market, Karwan Bazar and Savar's Genda Kitchen Market, on Thursday.
Both the wholesalers and the retailers said with Eid-ul-Azha approaching unscrupulous traders are active to manipulate prices though their supplies remain steady.
A kilogram of ginger was selling at Tk 130 to Tk 140 as against Tk 100 and Tk 110, a week earlier. Chinese ginger, however, is selling at Tk 170 a kilogram, up by 50 taka, in a week.
Besides, one kilogram of local garlic is selling at Tk 130 up by Tk 50 in a week. The price of Chinese garlic rose about Tk 30 per kilogram and is now selling at Tk 130 to Tk 140.
Some traders are also taking advantage of the growing demand for local spices since imports of Chinese varieties were disrupted because of Covid-19 restrictions, the vendors said.
“The prices of these two products go up every year before Eid-ul-Azha. There has been no exception this year,” said NH Shihab, a ginger and garlic seller at Mohammadpur Agricultural Market.
Muslim people of the country need various spices as they sacrifice bulls and goats during three-day Eid-ul-Azha festival. The festival may begin on July 19, this year.
However, the price spirals have caused a mixed reaction among the buyers.