Potato was the only curry that provided good food at a low cost to the masses of the country. But that potato is now a fire price. Enamul Kabir said in a tone of regret that three days ago I bought potatoes at the rate of Tk 55 per kg. Now the retailer is asking Tk. 80.
On Thursday (December 28), various markets of the capital were visited; new and old potatoes are selling at Tk. 80 per kg. The price of old potatoes has decreased to Tk. 70 per kg. If the new potato is smaller in size, its price is also being kept a little lower.
In the full season, the price of potatoes is Tk. 80 per kg. Also the price of rice has started to increase. After onions, the prices of ginger and garlic are also increasing. No one has anything to say. Abdul Malek said that we the buyers are being cheated by the dishonest businessmen for the supervision of the supervisory body.
Kawran Bazar Bikrampur Bhandar Md. Shamsul Haque said, the farmers have not yet harvested potatoes that way. This time due to the rain, the planting of potatoes is delayed, so it took time to mature. Potatoes take 60-70 days to mature after planting.
Usually by the beginning of December, the old potatoes in the freezer are gone and the new potatoes start coming into the market. The price is high for the first few days. The prices of potatoes started to decrease from mid-December. However, he said that the price of potato is not decreasing as the early yield of potatoes has been disrupted.
Wholesale trader Alam said that the price of potatoes has suddenly increased. Last Monday, I sold old potatoes wholesale at Tk. 68 per kg. I sold it last week at Tk. 47-48. Due to shortage of potatoes, prices have increased. There is a severe shortage of potatoes in Munshiganj, Rajshahi, Rangpur, they are not available. This problem has arisen due to the loss of potato seeds due to heavy rains and floods.
A retailer named Abul Hossain said that 10 percent of potatoes are wasted due to the weight of sacks, soil, cracked potatoes. That's why we have to sell old potatoes at Tk. 80 in retail even if we buy them wholesale at Tk.68.
Market participants said that the market has also risen due to the stoppage of potato imports from India. Potatoes are being sold at the highest price this time in recent years. Apart from this, potatoes were around Tk. 50 per kg in November as well. This time the price of other vegetables is also high. This is another reason for the high price of potatoes.
Meanwhile, the vegetable market is also up. It has been seen that per kg brinjal is being sold at Tk. 70-90, beans at Tk. 70-80 and tomato at Tk. 80-100. Cauliflower and cabbage cost Tk. 50-60 each and each gourd costs Tk. 80-100. Tk. 90-100 per kg of bitter gourd. Only a handful of two-four vegetables are available within Tk. 50. These include papaya, radish, and wolkapi.
A dozen eggs are being sold at Tk. 130. Chopped onions are being sold at Tk. 100 to Tk. 110, domestic garlic at Tk. 250 and imported garlic at Tk. 220 per kg.
Sources in the National Consumer Protection Directorate said that their team is working in the capital to control the market. Besides, operations are being conducted by the department in different regions of the country. Unscrupulous traders are being brought under the law as soon as irregularities are found.