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CHATTOGRAM, Mar 15, 2026 (BSS) - People of all strata particularly the Muslim community in the holy month of Ramadan have heaved a sigh of relief as the prices of major commodities were almost stable and experienced a lower-trend reversing the negative trend of unusual price rise of other years during the month of Ramadan. 

Importers and traders of major commodity hub in Katuganj and Chaktai as well as retailers in different city grocery and kitchen markets have viewed that this year’s commodity prices in the month of Ramadan are almost at tolerable level and no artificial crisis were seen till the end of the month. 

Market insiders were of the opinion that stability and positive behavior of the commodity market in the month of Ramadan this year are an impact of democratic political transition particularly after assuming office by BNP government under the premiership of Tarique Rahman following a credible and peaceful election.   

The high demand for essential Ramadan commodities in major markets in Chattogram has resulted in increased supply, causing prices to drop significantly in both wholesale and retail markets.

To ensure stable and affordable prices of essential goods, especially during the month of Ramadan, the newly elected BNP led government has implemented a forward-thinking and practical policy. This includes continuation of reducing significant taxes and providing other policy supports, which has motivated businessmen and importers to increase their imports. This has also helped to counter the activities of dishonest trade groups, as reported by traders and importers in discussions with BSS.

During Ramadan, traders typically raise prices, but buyers have noticed that the market has cooled down this year. Prices of some products have actually decreased since the start of Ramadan. The country's largest commodity hub, Khatunganj-Chaktai, along with wholesale fruit markets like Reazuddin Bazar and Falmondi at Station Road, are busy with essential Ramadan goods such as edible oil, chickpeas, sugar, onions, potatoes, and dates.

Kamal Uddin Chowdhury, an employee of a private organization, regularly visits Chawkbazar in the city for shopping. He mentioned that ordinary consumers are pleased to be able to observe Ramadan comfortably. The initial spike in prices of daily necessities at the start of Ramadan, which began six days after the 13th National Parliament election, has now significantly decreased.

 Prices of items like lemon, cucumber, and brinjal have reduced, and some products have seen further price drops compared to the beginning of Ramadan, particularly potatoes and onions.

 Azmat Ali, a businessman from Chawkbazar, noted that before Ramadan, many people stocked up on groceries for two to three weeks, causing prices to rise. However, there is no such pressure currently. With a decrease in demand and timely imports, market prices have eased.

Talking to BSS, NGO official Shahidul Islam at Reazuddin Bazaar viewed that it was noted that there was a perception of traders inflating prices during Ramadan. However, this year, the market seems to be relatively calm. While vegetable prices were slightly higher in the first 10 days of Ramadan, they have since decreased by Tk 10 to Tk 15 per kg in the city markets.

 On the other hand, the price of broiler chicken has steadily risen from Tk 180 to Tk 225 per kg, causing inconvenience to the general public.

 Abdul Azim, a chicken trader in Bahaddarhat, explained that the high demand for chicken during Ramadan is not met with sufficient supply, leading to the price hike. He mentioned that Sonali chicken is currently priced at Tk 300 to Tk 310 per kg, depending on the size, down from last week's Tk 320. Additionally, broiler chicken eggs are being sold at Tk 100 to Tk 105 per dozen.

Buyer Nur Hossain expressed concern over the sudden increase in chicken prices, attributing it to syndication. He noted that there was no apparent reason for such a significant price hike within a week.

During a visit to various markets in the city on Sunday, it was observed that the prices of essential vegetables have also risen. Tomatoes were being sold at Tk 35 to Tk 40 per kilogram, brinjal at Tk 40 to Tk 50, cabbage at Tk 15 to Tk 20, cauliflower at Tk 40 to Tk 45, radish at Tk 30, cucumber at Tk 50, bitter gourd at Tk 100, dal at Tk 80, beetroot at Tk 60, bean sprouts at Tk 90-100, sweet pumpkin at Tk 30, papaya at Tk 30, turnip at Tk 30, and gourd at Tk 30 to Tk 40. These prices were significantly higher compared to the beginning of Ramadan.

 Additionally, geen chillies were priced at Tk 80 per kilogram, khera at Tk 60, carrots at Tk 40, coriander leaves at Tk 30 to Tk 40, and small cucumbers at Tk  60 per kg as part of iftar preparations. In the first week of Ramadan, green chillies were being sold at Tk 140 to Tk 160 per kg.

Mohammad Ali Azgar, a vegetable retailer at Reazuddin Bazaar, explained that during the start of Ramadan, there is a surge in demand from buyers, leading to reduced supply and higher prices. However, currently, prices have decreased as the supply has improved.

 He mentioned, “Winter vegetables are now exiting the market, causing a drop in prices for some items. On the other hand, newly arrived summer vegetables like dhedash, barbati, and bitter gourd are slightly pricier."
 
Md. Ayub, the manager of Messrs. Khwaja Moinuddin at Bahaddarhat Khanca Bazar, shared that at the beginning of Ramadan, high-quality local onions were being sold for Tk 55-60 at the wholesale market in Khatunganj, Chattogram.

 Although import quantity of different kinds of fruit like apples , oranges , grapes , malta, dates , pears more than double in last 7 months of current fiscal in compare to corresponding period of previous fiscal, prices of those in both wholesale and retail market remain high and have been fluctuating frequently. Official sources said quantity of fruit imports during July-January in 2025-2026 FY is 558,020  tonnes while it was 221,327 tonnes in same period of last FY . 

Among the imported fruits, only prices of dates-one of the main component of Iftar items have been selling at tolerable level because of import duty cut.    

The price of onions has dropped to Tk 25-30 in retail markets due to an increase in the supply of new season onions in the country, bringing smiles to consumers. Warehouses in Khatunganj are overflowing with hundreds of sacks of local onions, which are being distributed to retailers, markets, and upazilas by various means of transportation. Md. Belal from AK Traders mentioned that Meherpuri onions are selling for Tk 16-17, Pabna Murikata for Tk 20-25, and Rajbari Hali onions for Tk 30-35.

 Local new garlic is priced at Tk 50-52 per kg in wholesale, but sales are not meeting expectations. Farmers, traders, and wholesalers are facing challenges due to the drop in onion prices, leading to losses for those who purchase directly from farmers.

 Consumers are benefiting from the current market conditions. Onions are available in rickshaw vans in the city alleys, with Meherpuri onions selling at three kg for Tk 100. Good quality Hali onions are priced at Tk 40-45 per kg. Local garlic is priced at Tk 80, while Chinese garlic is selling for Tk 210-220.

 Fish prices have seen a slight decrease in the market this week. Local Rui fish (live) weighing 1.5 to 2 kg is priced at Tk 400-420, imported Rui fish weighing 2 to 3 kg at Tk 300-320, small size Rui fish at Tk 200-250, Katla fish weighing 1 to 2 kg at Tk 320-400 per kg, Briget carp weighing 3 to 4 kg at Tk 240-290 per kg, tilapia at Tk 150-170, desi byla at Tk 520-600 per kg, horn fish at Tk 400-550 depending on size, mala fish at Tk 500-600, shoal fish at Tk 620-700, koya at TK 350, shrimp at Tk 600-800, surma weighing one and a half to two kg at Tk 650, coral at Tk 550-600, and kalichanda at Tk 550-600 per kg.