Panic buying stokes prices of essentials

Prices of vegetables and essentials went up at kitchen markets in the capital as city dwellers resorted to panic buying, fearing supply shortage due to lockdown announced earlier on the day.

The government announced a countrywide lockdown for seven days from Monday to stop the spread of COVID-19 and deaths, which rose sharply in the last couple of days.

During the visits to several kitchen markets, it was found that people rushed to city shops to buy groceries and vegetables.

They went on panic buying as they apprehended shortage of products during the partial lockdown last year soon after the outbreak of COVID-19 in March, 2020.

However, the sellers claimed that people are buying essential commodities, fearing shortage of necessities for the last two days.

Such information was found during visits to several kitchen markets in the capital, including Hatirpool and Karwan Bazar in the evening.

People rushed to buy lemon, orange and other citrus fruits as they believe that consumption of these fruits will help improve human immunity in fight against COVID-19.

Fruit sellers in Malibagh Kacha Bazar said that among the citrus fruits orange’s (malta) price increased by Tk 20 to Tk 30 per kg.

Meanwhile, the prices of lemon varied between Tk 60 to Tk 120 per dozen, depending on the quality. The prices shot up in last two days ahead of Ramadan amid spike in coronavirus infections and deaths.

On the other hand, the vegetables market has been affected after the announcement of lockdown. The prices of many other products increased by Tk 5 to Tk 10.

Vegetable traders in Karwan Bazar said that some vegetable prices revved up after announcement of lockdown.

They said that eggplant was sold at Tk 45-Tk 50, which was Tk 40-Tk 45 two days ago and similarly palwal and snake gourd were being sold at Tk 45-Tk 50, which was Tk 40-Tk 45 two days ago.

Ginger is being sold at Tk 80-Tk 110, which was Tk 70-Tk 80 two days ago. In the same way, garlic was being sold at Tk 70-Tk 120, which was Tk 50-Tk 60 two days ago.

The prices of edible oil, gram, pulse and sugar are almost the same.

A student of Chartered Accountancy, said that prices of almost all vegetables and essential commodities went up after announcement of lockdown.

“I bought the same groceries less than Tk 5-Tk 10 two days ago.”