Photo: Collected
As the southeastern region of Bangladesh grapples with devastating floods, a crisis within the crisis has emerged. Unscrupulous traders are taking advantage of the situation by significantly hiking the prices of essential dry foods and emergency supplies. Items such as flattened rice, puffed rice, molasses, water, biscuits, candles, matches, oral saline, bottled water, and life jackets have seen their prices nearly double.
Notably, millions of people in 11 districts, including Feni, Lakshmipur, Comilla, and Noakhali, have been waterlogged for the past few days. These people need dry food urgently. Not only are those in the flooded areas desperate to buy these items, but individuals purchasing dry food from the capital to provide relief to the affected regions are also frustrated. They have expressed their anger towards the traders.
On Monday, during visits to various markets in the capital, it was observed that the price of flattened rice had increased by Tk 40 to 45 per kg, puffed rice by Tk 10 to 15 per kg, molasses by Tk 10 per kg, and biscuits by Tk 30 to 40 per kg. The price of candles has doubled, and the prices of gas, matchsticks, oral saline, bottled water, and life jackets have also risen.
Retail and wholesale traders have admitted the price increases. Consumers claim that traders, from large mill owners to retail sellers, have inflated prices through syndication, using the flood as an excuse. Retailers are attributing the higher prices to their own increased costs.
Karwan Bazar, the largest consumer market, has seen a surge in the purchase of relief goods from various organisations, associations, university students, private institutions, and individuals. Consequently, the sale of dry food and other essential products has increased significantly. Traders have capitalised on this opportunity by raising prices.
Sajedul Islam, a buyer at the market, told The Daily Messenger, “I needed 400 kg of flattened rice for relief, but I only got 250 kg. I couldn't find the remaining 150 kg, even by paying more. Traders are increasing prices through syndication and creating artificial shortages.”
Sikdar, a shopkeeper at Karwan Bazar, explained, “The demand for dry food has increased several times. As a result, flattened rice arrives at the market around 10pm and is sold out within half an hour to an hour. The shortage is due to the increased demand.”
The owner of Messrs Ramanj General Enterprise said, “There's a lot of demand due to the flood. Flattened rice, puffed rice, and other dry foods that arrive at night are gone before 10pm. There's simply too much demand. We can't supply enough.”
Consumers complain that many are returning empty-handed and can't get inside the market. A leader of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement said, “On August 22, I bought a sack of puffed rice for Tk 3,000. A day later, I bought the same sack for Tk 3,100. Now, when I came to buy, they're asking for Tk 3,800 per sack.” He added that now is the time to support the flood-affected people, but some traders are focused solely on profit.
Multiple teams from the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate have verified the allegations of overcharging. During a raid at Karwan Bazar, it was found that flattened rice, which was sold for Tk 50 to 55 per kg before the flood, was being sold for Tk 85 to 95 per kg on August 26. This represents an increase of Tk 40 to 45 per kg.
Loose puffed rice that was sold for Tk 80 per kg is now priced at Tk 90 to 100, and packaged puffed rice is being sold for Tk 120 to 150 per kg. Candles that were priced at Tk 45 to 50 per dozen are now being sold for Tk 100 to 120.
The situation is similar at Town Hall Market in the capital. Here, from August 11 to August 22, flattened rice was sold for Tk 46 to 50 per kg. By August 25 to 26, the price had risen to Tk 85 to 90 per kg. The Consumer Rights department has fined two shop owners for this.
Habibullah Suman, a student of Economics at Dhaka University, said, “We have to buy a Tk 5-candle for Tk 12. We bought 100 kg of puffed rice, and now we're paying Tk 2200-2300 for flattened rice that used to cost Tk 1600-1700.”
At the Kitchen Market on the second floor of Karwan Bazar, there are crowds of buyers at almost every shop purchasing products like biscuits, oral saline, candles, and matches. However, most shopkeepers are unable to provide candles, and even when available, they are sold at higher prices.
Various types of biscuits are also being sold in the market. Biscuits that were priced at Tk 240 per kg just three days ago are now being sold for Tk 260 to 280. Small cakes that previously cost Tk 30 are now being sold for Tk 40 to 45. A box of saline is now priced at Tk 140 to 150.
Messenger/Disha
