High prices of essentials make iftar costlier
25 March 2023
Staff Reporter :
This year Ramzan definitely be tougher than previous years for many low and middle-income group people, as the daily commodities prices are skyrocketing.
Over 12 hours of fasting, people try to enjoy iftar by arranging many items. But people with low income even households with mediocre wages and salaries are significantly limiting their purchases for Sehri,Iftar this year. Prices of all items of Iftar are now digging deeper into the pockets of the fasting people.
Meanwhile, almost every traditional bazaar, famous for Iftar items, opened on Friday - the first day of the holy Ramzan. Chawkbazar iftar market is once again buzzing with people. Every Ramzan, this place is the topic of discussion because of the popular iftar items sold there.
Short after the Friday prayer, vendors open up their stalls offering a variety of delectable delicacies, attracting fasting Muslims from all corners of the city.
Nevertheless, the high price of ifter items surpassed the hype as customers appeared to be dissatisfied with the item prices, which were reportedly higher than the previous year.
Notable iftar items at Chawkbazar are Shahi Parota, Chicken Kabab, Beef Kabab, Boti Kabab, Tikka Kabab, Chicken Kathi, Shami Kabab, Seekh Kabab, Suti Kabab, Regular Jilapi, Shahi Jilapi, Haleem, Yoghurt, Kashmiri Sarbat, Khasir Paya, and Boro Baper Polay Khay.
Chicken Kabab is being sold at Tk40, Beef Suti Kabab at Tk1,400 per kg, Mutton Suti Kabab at Tk1600, Chhola-Ghughni Tk300 per kg, Faluda at Tk200 a litre, and Regular Jilapi at Tk200-220 a kg. It has been found that last year the price of chicken fry was Tk 80. This year it is Tk 120. Chicken stick is now being sold at Tk 240 whereas last year it was Tk 180. Old Dhaka's traditional Shahi Jilapi last year was Tk 280-300 per kg, this year it has been sold at Tk 350.
The price of all other types of Iftar items have also increased. Last year, halim was Tk 70 which becomes Tk 100. The price of chicken paratha, chicken chaps increased by Tk 10-25. Yogurt of 100 taka has become 120 taka.
The most popular delicacy at Chawkbazar - 'boro baper polay khai' (mixture of chickpeas, brain, minced meat, potato, flattened rice, egg, chicken, spices, ghee) - witnessed a 20 per cent hike as sold at Tk 700 to Tk750 per kg.
While visiting the Chawkbazar iftar market, Ratul Khan from Dhanmondi, said "I came to buy Iftar on the very first day of Ramzan. The price seems a bit higher this year.I will buy ifter items for my family after checking more shops. "
Imran Gazi from Old Dhaka said he bought fewer items this year as the prices have gone up.
"Iftar in old Dhaka has a different charm. That's why I came to purchase iftar items from here on the first day of Ramzan, regardless of our economic status." he added.
Ramjan Ali, a restaurant owner, said that all the cooking ingredients have increased significantly in the last one year, forcing them to raise prices of Iftar items.
Apart from Chawkbazar, other food outlets in the city, including Star Kebab, BFC, CFC, Mama Halim, RFC and Fakruddin, were also busy with Iftar sales at considerable higher prices than the previous year.
