KHULNA, March 6, 2024 (BSS) - Ahead of the Holy Ramadan, price of daily essential commodities in Khulna remains stable due to strict monitoring of the government.

The price of essential commodities like rice, pulse, onion, garlic and oil are stable at the kitchen markets in the city.

City dwellers would not have to face any shortage of essential commodities during the month of Ramadan as the government asked to increase the imports of essential commodities aiming at sufficient supply in the kitchen markets, said president of Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Kazi Aminul Haque while talking to BSS.

"KCCI will try its best to keep the market normal during Ramadan. There is no possibility that the market will be abnormal before the holy month if the supply chain is in place,” he added.

Mehedi Hasan Palash, owner of Banni Enterprise at Kalibari Bazar, told BSS that a few months ago, the import of essential commodities was slightly decreased but in the last couple of days, many essential commodities against Letters of Credit (LCs) opened targeting the Holy Ramadan.

The goods have already reached the port and the markets. As a result, the wholesale prices have been stabilized, he said, adding: “With a rise in supply, there is no chance to raise the prices of essentials except few imported commodities like dates (khejur).

"The wholesale rate of Hira Biroi rice is Taka 42 to Taka 43 per kilogram (Kg), Gram Taka 90 to 95 per kg and five-litre soybean oil is selling at Taka 800 to Taka 840 (Brand oil) while non-brand (Khola) oil is selling at Taka 150 to Taka 152 per liter (wholesale-rate) in Khulna," Palash said.
 
Abdur Rahman, a retail seller of Rupsha Sondha Bazar, said local Biroi rice is selling at Taka 48 to 50 per kg, onion is selling at Taka 100 to Taka 120 per kg and Chinese garlic is selling at Taka 200 to Taka 220 per kg while Chinese ginger is selling at Taka 220 per kg.
 
The price of lentils (local) is Taka 140 to Taka 150 whereas imported lentils are selling at Taka 120 to Taka 130, he added.

Due to the huge supply, tomatoes are selling at Taka 20 to Taka 30 per kg, Green Chilly at Taka 60 to Taka 65 per kg, and potato at Taka 30 to Taka 35 per kg, he added.

Rakib Hossain, a private service holder, said he has bought meat and fish from Gollamari Kitchen Market where those are sold at a reasonable cost than the other kitchen markets in the city.

Md. Walid Bin Habib, assistant director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, Khulna, said: “We are closely monitoring the selling prices of daily essential commodities.”

“Strict action will be taken against dishonest retailers and wholesalers involved in business syndicate if any complaint is received. Market monitoring will be continued during the month of Holy Ramadan.”