Staff Correspondent

Compared to previous years, this Ramadan, people are finding some comfort as they are getting most of the essentials, particularly the kitchen and grocery items, at cheaper and affordable prices.

Visiting several key kitchen markets, including Karwan Bazar, Khilgaon Taltola Market, Fakirapool Bazar, Motijheel AGB Colony Kacha Bazar and Shantinagar Bazar here today's morning, found that buyers are generally able to get what they need according to their purchasing power.

Due to strict market supervision and monitoring by the government's several agencies and different measures, most of the essentials including sugar, grass peas, dates, onions, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, eggs, garlic, green and dry chillies, ginger, and isabgol, are available at cheaper prices compared to Ramadan 2024.

To ensure cheaper prices during the holy month of Ramadan, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has removed VAT on several essential goods.

The items listed inclde mustard oil, flour, semolina, lentils, LPG, biscuits, salt, and hot spices, among others.

VAT exemptions have been granted at the production stage and, in some cases, at the business stage for these products.

The board has also reduced the import duty on essential commodities such as dates, rice, pulses, sugar and oil to zero.

Lauding the government measures, Abu Sufian, a resident of the Khilgaon area, said the prices of most grocery items are satisfactory as supply is abundant.

"I always shop at Taltola Market near my house. Everyone has relieved that the prices of vegetables in this Ramadan are low compared to the past few years."

He said that the prices of fish, meat and chicken are in stable.

During the visit to the city's several markets, it was found that farm chicken is being sold at Tk 180-190 per kg, Sonali at Tk 300-310 per kg and local chicken at Tk 550-580 per kg, respectively-Tk 10-30 per kg lower than last year.

Mutton (Khasi) is being sold at around TK 1100 per kg and beef at Tk 750-850 per kg. The prices also Tk 30-50 lower than the previous year.

On the other hands, sugar is being sold at Tk 120-125 per kg, down from Tk 140-150 last year.

The price of normal dates has fallen to Tk 180-200 per kg from Tk220-250, while mid-range and premium quality dates are being sold at Tk 450-800 and Tk 1,000-1,800, respectively-Tk 30-200 per kg lower than last year.

Local onions are now available at Tk 40-45 per kg, significantly lower than last year's Tk 100-120.

Potatoes are being sold at Tk 20-30 per kg, compared to Tk 25-35 last year.

Additionally, winter vegetable prices have decreased by Tk 5-20 per kg compared to last Ramadan.

Mohsin, a chicken seller in Motijheel AGB Colony Kacha Bazar, said, the price is lower than the previous year due to the government's monitoring activities.

"We buy and sell here. There is no opportunity to make much profit. Farmers are also not making hefty profit. Basically, big syndicates control the chicken business. Those who produce day-old chicks and chicken feed the controlled the market. If the government controls the syndicates, there is an opportunity to fall more the prices of chicken," he added.

Local rui (1.5 to 2 kg live) is being sold at Tk 300-450 while imported rui (2 to 3 kg) at Tk 300-350.

Rafiq Miah, a fish trader at Fakirapool Bazar, said that the supply of fish in the market is normal. However, the demand for fish has increased with the arrival of Ramadan, he added.

Mohammad Tareq, proprietor of Senbagh Store in Taltola Market, said the prices of most grocery items are satisfactory as supply is huge.

Mohammad Shahjahan, a businessman from Motijheel area, said prices of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, green chilies, and eggs are reasonable this year.

However, stricter government monitoring helped stabilise the prices of items that have gone up, he added.

The government has intensified its market monitoring of essential commodities marking the holy month of Ramadan. Three dedicated teams are monitoring markets across Dhaka metropolitan.

Ministry of Commerce is monitoring commodity markets on a regular basis through the district and Dhaka metropolitan administration.

Besides, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) keeps a close watch on the markets, preventing unscrupulous traders and hoarders from making the essential market volatile and unstable.