Sugar prices have risen sharply in Dhaka’s retail markets, adding to the growing pressure on household budgets as the cost of essential commodities continues to climb. The price of a kilogram of sugar has increased by around Tk10 in just two weeks, according to observations from several markets in the capital on Monday, 7 September.
Sugar that was selling for between Tk105 and Tk110 per kilogram two weeks ago is now being retailed at Tk115 to Tk120. The increase has affected both open and packaged sugar, although consumers are facing an additional problem with the availability of packaged varieties.
Packaged sugar was reportedly scarce at many retail shops, while open sugar remained available. As a result, some retailers have been relying more heavily on open sugar to meet customer demand. Consumers, however, said they were having to pay more for that option as well.
Retail traders attributed the rise partly to higher prices at the producer level. They said supplies arriving from mills had declined, creating pressure in the wholesale and retail markets. Some traders also alleged that certain marketing companies had reduced supplies, contributing to what they described as an artificial shortage. These allegations could not be independently verified.
Traders also pointed to gas shortages at factories as a possible factor affecting production and supply. According to them, disruptions at the production stage can quickly be reflected in wholesale prices and eventually reach consumers.
A retailer, Rouson Mia, said his shop was no longer receiving sugar in the quantities it had previously obtained.
“We are not getting sugar as regularly as before. Supplies from the mills have fallen, while our purchase price has increased. We therefore have little choice but to sell it at a higher retail price,” he said.
The increase has been particularly noticeable to consumers who regularly purchase sugar for household use. Jahangir, who was buying sugar at Raisaheb Bazar, said the rising prices of essential goods were already making it difficult for families to manage their monthly expenses.
“Prices of almost all essential commodities are high. Now sugar has also become more expensive. I bought it at a lower price just two weeks ago, but today I have to spend considerably more. Shopping is becoming increasingly difficult for people on limited incomes,” he said.
Another consumer, Raisul Islam, said the sudden increase had added to his household expenditure. He also complained about the shortage of packaged sugar, saying consumers were being forced to choose open sugar despite its higher price.
Sugar is a commonly used household commodity in Bangladesh, with demand coming from everyday consumption as well as tea, cooking and the preparation of various foods and sweets. Even a relatively modest increase in its retail price can therefore add to regular household spending, particularly when several other essential items are also becoming more expensive.
For consumers, the immediate concern is whether the current increase will persist or ease once supplies return to normal. Retailers, meanwhile, say stable supply from mills is necessary to prevent further price pressure in the markets.
The latest rise has once again drawn attention to the importance of maintaining a steady supply chain from factories and mills to wholesalers and retailers. Any prolonged disruption at the production or distribution stages could keep pressure on retail prices, leaving consumers to bear the additional cost.
