Ministry claims of price drop, opposite scenario at kitchen markets

Prices of the daily essentials including eggs, onions, potatoes have been soaring during last couple of weeks, exacerbating fear of a further financial predicament. Even though the Ministry of Commerce said that the prices of these products have started to decrease, but in reality, the opposite picture has been seen in the market. The price is now higher than what it was last week. In addition to these products, the prices of other dairy products including vegetables have been increasing as well.

Although the government repeatedly said about reducing the prices, the Ministry of Commerce is unable to control the market by eliminating various complications including syndicates.

Commoners blamed the current government's inexperience as the reason for not being able to solve these problems. Buyers and sellers believes that a syndicate controls the market and also controls the prices of all commodities to prove the government ineffective.

Even though the government fixes the price of various products, it does not affect the kitchen market in any way. On Monday (October 14), the government had fixed the price of eggs in the retail market at Tk 11 each and Tk 140 per dozen. But various markets of the capital including Rampura, Mirpur, Badda area, it was seen that eggs are being sold at 180-195 taka per dozen. And most of the egg stalls in Karwan Bazar were closed.

On the other hand, the price of potato-onion has also increased by Tk 2 per kg in the retail market. Last week, 5 kg of onion (one pack) was sold at Tk 510 in Karwan Bazar, but now it is selling at Tk 520 to Tk 530.

Last week, a press release from the Ministry of Commerce said that the prices of eggs, onions and potatoes will decrease slightly. However, it didn't disclose about the prices of any products. However, due to lack of supply compared to demand in the market, the price of eggs has increased, Finance and Trade Adviser Md. Salehuddin Ahmed said on Monday.

Meanwhile, after a meeting with egg producers and suppliers on Tuesday, Director General of Consumer Affairs Directorate Mohammad Alim Akhtar Khan said that at the producer level, eggs are priced at 10.90 taka and wholesale at 11.1 taka. It has been decided to sell eggs at a retail price of 11.87 taka. Accordingly, at the consumer level, it will cost 142 taka 44 paisa to buy each dozen. It has also been implemented from Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection, an organization under the Ministry of Commerce, is conducting regular operations in the market to implement the fixed price of eggs. Because of that, the traders of Tejgaon have stopped selling eggs.

It has been learnt that the price at which the importers sell eggs, onions, garlic or potatoes and raw chillies increases by Tk 20 per kg to reach the wholesale market through intermediaries, and Tk 2 to Tk 30 per kg to go from the wholesaler to the retail market. Accordingly, if a product is priced at Tk 60 at the import stage, it is sold at Tk 110 to Tk 120 in the retail market.

On the condition of anonymity, some marketers of Karwar Bazaar told View Bangladash that big industrial companies can control the price of eggs if they want. On the other hand, traders of Shyambazar market said that all the achievements of the government is failing due to some syndicates.