Ahead of Eid, the spice market has seen an unexpected spike. Cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and dried chilies—prices of almost all spices have more than doubled. Consumers are left stunned as they struggle to afford basic ingredients.
Visits to retail markets across Dhaka, including Karwan Bazar, Khilgaon, Rampura, and Mohammadpur, show that one kilogram of cardamom is now selling for Tk 6,000–6,300, up from Tk 1,800 a month ago. Cinnamon is going for Tk 700–850, and cloves for around Tk 1,500.
Housewife Murshida Begum, shopping in Karwan Bazar, expressed her frustration: “Cardamom was Tk 1,600 per kg—now it`s Tk 6,300! Shopkeepers are quoting any price they want. When asked, they simply say, ‘prices have gone up, nothing we can do.’”
Some traders blame the rise on higher raw material prices in global markets, dollar shortages, and import complications. However, many believe a handful of importers and wholesalers are using this as an excuse to create an artificial crisis and profit unfairly.
One retail trader, under condition of anonymity, said, “At the wholesale level, false shortages are often created. As a result, we’re forced to sell at higher prices.”
Although market monitoring agencies claim to be conducting regular inspections, the impact on market control seems negligible. Consumers complain there is virtually no oversight.
Economists warn that to ensure transparency in the market, there must be consistent monitoring, simplification of import procedures, and strict legal actions. Otherwise, the situation could become even more dire.
