DHKA — Onion prices climbed Tk 10 per kg at wholesale markets in a single week as Ramadan approached. Local varieties now fetch Tk 53 to Tk 56 per kg at Karwan Bazar, compared to Tk 42 to Tk 46 seven days earlier, according to Sojib Sheikh, proprietor of M/S Matribandar.

Retail outlets pushed onions higher still. Sellers offered them at Tk 60 to Tk 70 per kg, up from Tk 50 to Tk 60 last week. Checks at Karwan Bazar, Mohammadpur Krishi Market, Mohammadpur Geneva Camp Kitchen Market, Farmgate, Shewrapara, Kazipara and Ibrahim Kitchen Market revealed price swings between locations.

Chicken demand surged in kitchen markets. Milon Hossain, a resident of East Rajabazar, paid Tk 340 per kg for Sonali chicken at Farmgate yesterday evening. He had bought it for Tk 300 per kg a week prior. Broiler chicken cost him Tk 200 per kg, versus Tk 180 before.

Hanif Miah, a chicken seller at Farmgate, blamed the Ramadan rush. Demand climbs every year, he said, forcing prices up as wholesalers charge more. This season follows the pattern.

Meat prices followed suit citywide. Mutton hit Tk 1,300 per kg at Karwan Bazar, a jump from Tk 1,250 last week, Mohammad Jalal, a trader there, reported.

Beef rose too. Mohammad Shakil, owner of Shakil Mangsho Bitan at Mohammadpur Geneva Camp Kitchen Market, sells it at Tk 800 per kg now. That is Tk 50 more than last week. Each cow’s price increased by Tk 5,000 to 7,000 over two weeks amid strong demand, he added.

Iftar vegetables felt the pressure. Four lemons now cost Tk 80 to Tk 120, up from Tk 60 to Tk 100. Green chillies reached Tk 180 to Tk 240 per kg, compared to Tk 140 to Tk 180.

Tomatoes sold for Tk 50 to Tk 80 per kg. Last week, they went for Tk 30 to Tk 60. Brinjal climbed to Tk 80 to Tk 120 per kg from Tk 60 to Tk 80. Cucumbers and coriander leaves each rose Tk 20 to Tk 40 per kg.

Local fish prices also edged higher, though traders noted smaller jumps than for meats and onions. The overall 10 to 30 percent rise hits households preparing for the holy month, when evening iftar meals and pre-dawn sehri become daily rituals.

Market visitors yesterday described sticker shock. Hossain said he planned meals tighter to cope. Sheikh predicted steady wholesale rates if supply holds, but retail markups could persist with consumer demand.