The price of essential commodities has soared across the markets in Chittagong due to disruption caused by the opposition’s non-stop nationwide blockade.
Whilst visiting different markets across the port city yesterday, it was found that prices of commodities, particularly vegetables, have risen significantly.
The markets concerned include: Karnaphuli Market, Kazir Dewri Bazar, Reazuddin Bazar, Bahaddarhat and Chawk Bazar.
“Prices of almost all the vegetables have increased in the past three to four days,” said Mohammed Yusuf, a customer at the Karaphuli Market.
Middle-income people like him are finding it difficult to buy vegetables within their family budgets.
Delwar Hossain, a trader at Reazuddin Bazar, said five days ago he bought a dozen eggs for Tk85 and one kilogram of onions for Tk55, but now they are Tk95 and Tk70 respectively.
Mohammed Idris Mian, a vegetable vendor at Karnaphuli Market, told the Dhaka Tribune that fewer vegetables had been coming in since the blockade started.
The traders now have to purchase the commodities from the wholesalers at a higher price, he said.
“We are being compelled to sell vegetables at higher prices even during the peak season as our purchase costs have increased due to the blockade.”
Mohammed Jamal, a retailer at the market, said: “We are selling, per kilogram, tomatoes at Tk100, brinjals at Tk50-40, cauliflowers at Tk40, cabbages at Tk30 and beans at Tk100.”
Before the blockade tomatoes were sold at Tk70-80. Prices of other vegetables rose by Tk10-30, he claimed.
Abdul Khalek, a vegetable seller at Kazir Dewri Bazar, said the blockade had seriously hindered the transportation of vegetables, as hardly any vehicles could reach Chittagong from other parts of the country.
Very small volumes of vegetables were reaching the port city from different upazilas in the district, he said.
“The wholesalers are bringing fewer vegetables from the upazilas, particularly from Sitakunda and Hathazari. The truckers do not dare to drive their vehicles, in fear of subversive activities.”
“This has pushed up the transportation costs,” he added.
He also said there was inadequate supply to meet the daily demand, and that extra transportation costs had compelled them to sell different kinds of vegetables at a higher price.
