Though the price of potatoes has dropped in the Chittagong wholesale market in Chittagong after hearing the news of potato import from India, there is no impact on the retail market.
The retail traders are buying at a lower price of Tk26-27 and selling it at the previous price of Tk45 per kg. Similarly, they are selling onion and other food essentials at high prices.
During the visit at two large wholesale markets of Chaktai and Khatunganj in Chittagong, it was found that the prices of potatoes and onions have decreased.
It was found that potatoes are being sold at the rate of Tk45 per kg in the city's depot market of Atura.
Akbar Hossain, a trader in the market, said: "These potatoes were bought earlier. That's why I am selling it at the same price.”
Jahangir Alam, the owner of a strore in Bayezid Bostami, said that they are selling potatoes at the retail price of Tk40 per kg. Although it is bought wholesale at a price of Tk27 per kg, there was a cost of Tk120 to bring the potatoes to the shop.
Besides, it takes a few days to sell. For this reason, it has to be sold at Tk40-42. There will be no profit for retail sellers, he added.
Abul Kasem, president of Khatungonj Wholesalers Association, said that the price of potatoes has decreased.
"We are selling potatoes wholesale at Tk26-27 in Khatungonj on Saturday. I sold it at Tk32-35 on Thursday of last week. Prices have come down as potato imports from India have started. It will decrease further in the next few days. However, we do not know why the retailers did not reduce the prices.,” he said.
Similarly, mentioning that the price of onion has also decreased, Abul Kasem said: "In Khatunganj, we are selling Indian onion wholesale at Tk100-105, local variety at Tk60-65 and Chinese at Tk55-60 per kg."
Ahsan Khaled, joint general secretary of Chaktai Industry and Traders Association said: "The supply of potatoes in the market has increased due to the start of import. That's why the price has fallen. The price of onion has also decreased.”
When asked about market monitoring, Mohammad Foyez Ullah, deputy director of Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP), said that the drive is underway to control the price of products in the market.
“Potatoes are being sold at Tk40-45. But the price is supposed to decrease further. We are inquiring as to why the retail traders are selling potatoes at such a higher price than the wholesalers,” said the DNCRP official.
