Rising flour, oil and sugar prices add to grocery woes as eggs remain costly

After the prices of flour and flour products rose last week, oil and sugar have joined the list of products becoming more costly, while eggs are still being sold at high prices.

The rising prices were notable during visits to several markets in Dhaka on Friday.

Supply constraints have also affected the prices of everyday grocery items such as flour, oil and sugar. Consumers say they are having to visit several shops to find certain products.

The price of 1kg of loose flour rapidly rose from Tk 58 to Tk 80.

The price of packaged flour has risen by about 9 percent. A 1kg packet is currently selling for Tk 70, compared with Tk 60 a month ago.

In the market, one litre of loose soybean oil is selling for Tk 185 to Tk 190, while loose palm oil is priced at Tk 165 to Tk 170 per litre.

Retailers said the price of bottled soybean oil has remained unchanged for the past month, but they expect another increase. As a result, supplies at shops have been reduced.

A litre of bottled soybean oil is currently priced at Tk 200.

Meanwhile, sugar prices have also begun to rise. A kilogramme of sugar is currently selling for Tk 120 to Tk 125 in the retail market.

Egg prices have also remained high, reaching Tk 160 from Tk 125 last month.

Onions, which were selling for Tk 40 to Tk 45 per kg last month, are now priced at Tk 55 to Tk 60.

As last week, broiler chicken is selling for Tk 190 to Tk 200 per kg, while Sonali chicken is priced at Tk 300 to Tk 320.

Amid soaring prices, consumers have found relief in the vegetable market.

Okra, pointed gourd, spiny gourd, ridge gourd and wax gourd are selling for Tk 60 per kg. Bitter gourd is priced at Tk 70 per kg, while gourd and sponge gourd are selling for Tk 80. Papaya is available for Tk 30 per kg.

Brinjal and tomatoes, however, are selling for Tk 120 per kg.

Wholesale prices of some vegetables at Karwan Bazar have fallen by Tk 15 to Tk 20.

Green chilli prices have also fallen following imports. On Friday, imported green chilli was being sold at Tk 100 to Tk 120 per kg at retail markets.