As the nation is set to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on June 29, the demand for spices is high in Faridpur district as elsewhere. Soaring prices, however, are putting further pressure on the already struggling low-income and middle-income people.
Traders in the district blamed shortage of spices behind the price hike.
However, people claimed that had the local administration strengthened monitoring the markets, spice prices could be at a tolerable level.
During a recent visit to Chawkbazar in Faridpur city, this correspondent found that local and imported ginger is being sold at Tk350 per kg while it was Tk250 last week.
Besides, prices of coriander, cloves and cinnamon have also increased ahead of Eid.
Meanwhile, cardamom (big) is being sold at Tk2,500-2,700 per kg while cumin is being sold at Tk950 per kg.
Traders Mutakni Hossain, Hori Saha and Abul Hossain said they are selling the spices at high prices due to shortage of supply. Besides, demand for spices has gone up ahead the Eid-ul-Azha, they added.
A customer, who came here to buy spices, said: “Prices of all spices have gone up, and I failed to buy as much as I needed.”
He also urged the local administration to monitor the markets properly so that traders can not take advantage of higher demand on the occasion of Eid.
Faridpur Deputy Commissioner Quamrul Ahsan Talukdar, said: “Market monitoring is a routine task for us. The Upazila Nirbahi Officers have been asked to monitor the markets regularly ahead of Eid. Besides, the official concerned of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has been asked to check the price of essentials on a regular basis. He was also directed to conduct mobile court, if needed.”