As Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, prices of essential food items are rising sharply in the capital’s markets. Traders say increased festive demand and concerns linked to the Middle East conflict are putting pressure on supply, pushing up the prices of rice and poultry.
Over the past three weeks, the price of polao rice has continued to rise, increasing by another 4 to 5 taka per kilogram this week. Loose polao rice is now selling between 145 and 150 taka per kg, while packaged varieties are priced around 175 taka.
Nazirshail rice has also gone up by 2 to 3 taka per kilogram and is currently selling between 80 and 90 taka depending on quality. At the same time, the prices of broiler and Sonali chicken have surged by up to 30 taka per kg.
The shortage of soybean oil has yet to ease. While traders blame supply disruptions, consumers are demanding stricter market monitoring to prevent syndicate-driven price hikes ahead of the Eid festival.