New Nation: The price of sugar started falling in the city's retail markets from yesterday following the Commerce Minister's strong warnings against the unscrupulous businessmen who were behind the abrupt increase in sugar price.

Though the sugar price has decreased in comparison with the previous week's rate, it was selling at Tk 54 to Tk 55 per kg yesterday.

Earlier the businessmen promised on several occasions that the price of sugar would not exceed Tk 42 per kg in the retail markets during the month of Ramzan.

Different types of vermicelli's, one of the vital components for making delicacies for Eid festival, were selling at higher prices compared to the last year's price.

The prices of tomato, potato and cucumber have shot up further despite sufficient stock and their smooth supply of it in the kitchen markets.

Customers have blamed traders for ' intentionally raising' tomato and cucumber price taking advantage of the high demand during Eid and other festivals.

The price of garlic and ginger were high in the markets while those of soybean and onion maintained the previous week's level.

The price of sugar has decreased by Tk 5 to Tk 10 per kg in the retail markets yesterday. Per kg of sugar was sold between Tk 54 and Tk 55 which was sold at Tk 60 to Tk 65 in the previous week.

Customers in the city markets said the price of sugar should decrease more, as there was sufficient stock of it in the market following the withdrawal of tariffs and import duties on sugar by the government.

There will be a positive impact on sugar market as TCB has already received 600 tonnes of sugar from the refiners and would take remaining 400 tonnes soon, a high official of TCB told the New Nation.

Loose vermicelli (shemai) was sold between Tk 50 and Tk 55 per kg which was ranged at Tk 40 to Tk 45 in the previous year. Different types of lascha shemai containing various weights were sold between Tk 25 and Tk 30.

Per kg of local variety of lentil was sold between Tk 110 and Tk 112 while the imported ones was sold between Tk 104 and Tk 106. Garlic and ginger were selling at Tk 75 to Tk 80 per kg respectively.

Per kg of soybean was sold between Tk 76 and Tk 78, super between Tk 70 and Tk 72 and palm oil at Tk 68 in the retail markets yesterday. Five litre can of Rupchanda soybean oil was sold at Tk 425, Teer soybean oil at Tk 405 and Fresh at Tk 405.

Green chilli was sold between Tk 35 and Tk 40 per kg, potato at Tk 30, cucumber was sold between Tk 36 and Tk 40, tomato was sold between Tk 60 and Tk 70 and brinjal at Tk 36 and Tk 40.

Beef was sold between Tk 220 and Tk 230 per kg. Per hali (four of each) was sold between Tk 28 and Tk 30. Per kg of broiler meat was sold at Tk 120.

Meanwhile, marking the Eid, the sales of gift items have picked up high. Shoppers were found buying gift items such as greetings cards, show piece and small leather items for their near and dears ones. Different gift cards show rooms were found crowded yesterday.

Price of various types of greeting cards ranging from Tk 10 to Tk 1500, a salesman of a local company at Paltan area told the New Nation yesterday.

Some of the greeting cards have three to four parts of folding with hard cover envelopes and ribbons, he added. The gift shops were also selling showpieces and leather goods like wallets and cardholders.