This Ramadan, consumers are finding relief in the form of lower prices for many essential items, especially kitchen and grocery staples, compared to previous years.
BSS visited several key markets, including Karwan Bazar, Khilgaon Taltola Market, Fakirapool Bazar, Motijheel AGB Colony Kacha Bazar, and Shantinagar Bazar, and observed that many buyers are able to purchase goods within their budgets.
Thanks to strict market monitoring by government agencies and various measures, the prices of essentials like sugar, dates, onions, cucumbers, potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, green and dry chilies, ginger, and isabgol are notably lower this Ramadan than in 2024.
To ensure affordable prices during Ramadan, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has removed VAT on several essential goods such as mustard oil, flour, lentils, LPG, biscuits, and hot spices. Additionally, VAT exemptions have been applied at the production and business stages for these items, while import duties on essential products like dates, rice, pulses, sugar, and oil have been reduced to zero.
Local shoppers, such as Abu Sufian from Khilgaon, praised these government measures, noting that the prices of most grocery items are reasonable, thanks to an ample supply. “The prices of vegetables this Ramadan are lower than in past years,” he said, adding that fish, meat, and chicken prices have also remained stable.
At various markets, farm chicken is priced at Tk 180-190 per kg, Sonali chicken at Tk 300-310 per kg, and local chicken at Tk 550-580 per kg—down by Tk 10-30 per kg from last year. Mutton (Khasi) is priced around Tk 1,100 per kg, and beef is selling for Tk 750-850 per kg, marking a decrease of Tk 30-50 per kg from last year.
The price of sugar has dropped to Tk 120-125 per kg from Tk 140-150, while normal dates now cost Tk 180-200 per kg, down from Tk 220-250. Premium dates are also more affordable, with prices ranging from Tk 450 to Tk 1,800—Tk 30-200 less than last year.
Local onions are now selling for Tk 40-45 per kg, a significant decrease from last year’s Tk 100-120. Potatoes are also cheaper, priced at Tk 20-30 per kg, compared to last year’s Tk 25-35.
Winter vegetables have seen price reductions as well, with prices falling by Tk 5-20 per kg compared to the last Ramadan.
Mohsin, a chicken seller in Motijheel AGB Colony Kacha Bazar, attributed the price drop to government oversight, though he noted that large syndicates still control the chicken market. “If the government controls these syndicates, chicken prices could fall even further,” he added.
The fish market is stable, with local rui (1.5 to 2 kg) selling at Tk 300-450 and imported rui (2 to 3 kg) priced at Tk 300-350. Rafiq Miah, a fish trader in Fakirapool Bazar, reported a normal supply of fish but mentioned that the demand has increased due to Ramadan.
Mohammad Tareq, a store owner at Taltola Market, also confirmed that the prices of most grocery items are reasonable due to a large supply. Mohammad Shahjahan, a businessman from Motijheel, agreed, noting that prices of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, green chilies, and eggs are also stable this year.
To ensure stability, the government has intensified market monitoring with dedicated teams overseeing markets in Dhaka. The Ministry of Commerce and the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) are closely monitoring essential commodity markets to prevent price manipulation and hoarding, helping to maintain stability during the holy month of Ramadan.
