Special Correspondent/

The ginger market has become volatile again. Domestic ginger is being sold at Tk 450 in the retail market with an increase of Tk 50 per kg within a week. Apart from this, the prices of palm oil, onion, potato and turmeric increased another round in seven days.

The buyer has to spend extra money to buy these products. On Thursday, Kawran Bazar, Nayabazar and Malibag raw markets of the capital were seen talking to buyers and sellers.

The vendors said that potatoes are being sold at Tk 45 per kg in the retail market, which was Tk 40 seven days ago. Desi onion is being sold at Tk 90 per kg, which was sold at Tk 80 last week. Besides, the price of imported onion has increased by Tk 5 per kg and is selling at Tk 75-80.

Besides, imported turmeric is being sold at Tk 280 per kg, which was Tk 250 earlier. 140 per liter of open palm oil, which was Rs 130 a week ago.

Apart from this, local ginger is being sold at Rs 450 per kg in the retail market, which was sold at Rs 400 seven days ago. Meanwhile, a class of unscrupulous seller syndicates disrupted the market by increasing the price of ginger in May. At that time, ginger was sold at a maximum of Tk 500 per kg in the retail market. At that time, Director General of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate AHM Safikuzzaman held a meeting with the traders to reduce the unrest in the spice market. It was informed in the meeting that the import price of ginger per kg is Tk 129-130.

But the capital’s largest arat is being sold at Shyambazar for over Tk 260. And it is being sold in the retail market at twice the price. At that time, the involvement of artdars of Shyambazar was found behind increasing the price of ginger. The director general of the department himself identifies the dishonest. But no exemplary action has been taken against them since that time.

Junayed Hasan, who came to Nayabazar in the capital to buy daily products, said that the price of ginger is increasing day by day. 50 rupees per kg is being sold compared to last week. But there is no shortage of ginger in the market. Besides, the price of onion has started increasing again. Earlier, the presence of regulatory agencies in the market is not noticeable now. In this opportunity, the sellers are selling the product by increasing the price. Buyers like us have to bear the burden of additional costs.

Riazul Karim, who came to buy produce at Malibag raw market, said that he does not see any shortage of onions in the market. Bagfuls of onions in every shop. But consumers have to buy at higher prices. At this time of the year, sellers cheat the buyers by increasing the price of onions. This is also happening this time.

Masum, a retailer of the same market, said that if the price of the product increases in the wholesale market, we have to buy at a higher price. So transport fare, lineman’s fee, market space rent – all are priced together and we have to sell. But customers argue with us.

According to the sources of the National Directorate of Consumer Protection, operations are being conducted every day to keep the product prices normal in the market. The products whose price is high, the concerned traders are being summoned to the directorate and held a meeting. Irregularities are brought under the law.