Chattogram: Essential commodities, particularly those in high demand during Ramadan, have started arriving in large quantities at major commodity markets in the port city, leading to a significant price decrease for most items.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Interim Government’s strategic policies, including substantial tax cuts and additional policy support, have encouraged businesses and importers to increase import volumes. This proactive stance has helped outmaneuver unscrupulous trading practices, as noted by traders and importers. Key markets such as Khatunganj-Chaktai, Reazuddin Bazar, and Falmondi are bustling with essential Ramadan goods like edible oil, chickpeas, sugar, onions, potatoes, and dates.
The influx of goods into the market has resulted in a noticeable downtrend in prices, promising price stability as the demand for specific commodities rises during Ramadan. Wholesale and retail traders, along with trade body leaders in Khatunganj and Chaktai, report that this trend has provided relief to consumers and ethical businesses by curbing exploitation by unethical trade syndicates.
The market scenario is a departure from previous years, where prices typically surged before Shab-e-Barat and Ramadan. Currently, traders in Khatunganj face challenges storing and swiftly selling large quantities of goods, contributing to lower market prices compared to last year. The interim government’s relaxation of LC opening margins on 11 essential items has ensured a steady supply of consumer goods ahead of Ramadan.
Items such as rice, wheat, onion, pulses, edible oil, sugar, eggs, chickpeas, peas, spices, and dates are being imported in larger volumes, with importers benefiting from favorable banking terms. Dr. Md. Shah Alam from the Plant Quarantine Center at Chattogram Port noted significant imports in January, with more expected in February, totaling 1.95 million tons over the last four and a half months.
In January 2025, 97,181 tons of chickpeas were unloaded, compared to 66,040 tons in January 2024. The price of chickpeas has decreased, with high-quality chickpeas selling at TK 92.5 per kg, down from TK 95 to TK 100 last year.
Mohammad Idris, General Secretary of Khatunganj’s Hamidullah Miah Market Welfare Association, reported a decrease in prices for onions, ginger, and garlic over the past 15 days. Locally produced onions are priced at TK 32-38 per kg, and Indian onions at TK 50-55. Ginger and garlic prices have also declined due to increased supply.
The price of dates has also decreased following reduced import duties. Abul Hasem, owner of Bismillah Store in Falmondi, noted that a five-kg packet of dates is now priced lower than last year. The demand for dates during Ramadan is around 50,000 tons, with 21,261 tons imported in January alone.
Md. Mohiuddin from Chaktai Khatunganj Aratdar General Traders Welfare Association highlighted the increased import volumes of consumer goods, impacting market prices positively. The demand for sugar during Ramadan is about three lakh tons, with 85% of this demand already imported through Chattogram port.
Despite sufficient imports of edible oil, an unscrupulous group is allegedly attempting to destabilize the market. Traders suggest that close supervision and immediate legal action against unethical practices can prevent such attempts.
Muhammad Rafiqul Alam of M/s MK Trading mentioned that sugar prices have decreased significantly compared to last year, with S Alam’s brand sugar selling at Tk 4,230 per maund, down from around Tk 5,000 last year.