Sunday | 21 June 2026 | Reg No- 06
| BREAKING: |
In a rare initiative aimed at stabilising the market ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, Chattogram Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mian has introduced a “festival discount” programme under which traders have reduced prices of various essential commodities.
The initiative was launched on Saturday (May 23) at Reazuddin Bazar, one of the city’s largest wholesale markets, under the direction of the Chattogram DC.
Speaking at the inauguration, the DC said the programme was introduced with the slogan "Prices will fall during festivals, joy will rise.”
According to a price list signed by Reazuddin Bazar Traders’ Welfare Association President Mohammad Salamat Ali and General Secretary Md Abdus Shukkur, prices of several spices and daily essentials have been reduced.
Cardamom prices were reduced from Tk 4,800 to Tk 4,200 per kilogram, cinnamon from Tk 600 to Tk 520, and cloves from Tk 1,600 to between Tk 1,350 and Tk 1,400.
Raisin prices were cut from Tk 980 to Tk 720 per kg, ginger from Tk 190 to Tk 150, and garlic from Tk 140 to Tk 110.
Onion prices have also been reduced by Tk 25 to Tk 40 per kg depending on quality, while cumin prices dropped from Tk 750 to Tk 520.
Market sources said Indian cumin prices were reduced from Tk 650 to Tk 570, sweet cumin from Tk 280 to Tk 225 and cardamom from Tk 4,600 to Tk 4,100 per kg. Discounts ranging from 5 to 20 percent are also being offered on cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, nutmeg, chilli, turmeric and coriander.
During the market visit, DC Zahidul Islam inspected shops and warehouses, reviewed stock and import conditions, and monitored price lists. He also spoke with traders dealing in onions, garlic, ginger and spices to assess the implementation of the discount programme.
Officials said trader leaders agreed to keep prices at a tolerable level for consumers following a series of meetings with the DC.
Traders said they offered discounts considering the hardship faced by ordinary consumers, with some products seeing price cuts of up to 20 percent.
Speaking to reporters after the inspection, DC Zahid said festivals in Bangladesh often trigger market instability and abnormal price hikes.
“In developed countries, prices usually decrease during festivals. But in our country, some dishonest traders tend to seek excessive profits during such occasions,” he said.
“As a result, low-income and lower middle-class people often struggle to celebrate festivals properly. We want people from all classes to enjoy Eid in a festive atmosphere,” he added.
Praising traders in Chattogram, the DC said businessmen in Khatunganj and Reazuddin Bazar had honoured their commitments by reducing prices of ginger, onion, garlic, chilli and spices by 5 to 30 percent.
“In some cases, cumin prices have dropped by Tk 300 to Tk 400 per kilogram,” he said.
Calling Chattogram the country’s commercial capital, he added that local traders had once again set an example for the rest of the country through the initiative.
Referring to the recent volatility in the ginger market, the DC said that the crisis had been created due to delays in releasing 41 containers stuck at the port.
“With the cooperation of the port authorities, 37 containers have already been released. The remaining containers will also be cleared soon,” he said.
The DC also warned against market manipulation and syndicate activities.
“No one will be allowed to manipulate the market through syndicates. We will not allow anyone to damage public confidence or the country’s image,” he said.
The DC said mobile courts and monitoring teams would continue operating in Chaktai, Khatunganj, Reazuddin Bazar and other markets across the district until Eid.
Local consumers welcomed the initiative, while leaders of the Reazuddin Bazar wholesalers’ association said there was no shortage of goods in the market and that traders remained committed to selling products at fair prices with reasonable profit margins.
