As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan approaches, many Bangladeshis are struggling to cope with the skyrocketing prices of daily essentials. According to sellers in the capital, Dhaka, the prices of some goods have already risen by 30 to 40 percent. 

Dhaka

As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan nears, Bangladesh faces a significant challenge with the escalating costs of daily necessities. In the capital city of Dhaka, sellers have reported that the prices for some essential goods have surged by 30 to 40 percent. This price hike is affecting the residents' ability to afford basic food items during a period that holds great religious significance for Muslims.



Bangladeshis struggle with food prices as Ramadan approaches

Here at one of Dakar's largest markets, the Khaldran Bazaar, Bangladeshis are preparing for Ramadan. But this year, the holy month won't be kind to them. Food prices shot up in February, causing residents like Halana Rashid to feel the crunch. The price of the necessities keeps fluctuating with time. It creates confusion and enrages people. Rage often turns to despair for many. We are struggling with the daily price of essentials. We earn barely $4 a day, which cannot buy everything we need. Our debts are increasing every time we do grocery shopping. Goods like cooking oil and lentils have risen between 30 and 40 percent in February. And prices for imported foods, such as dates, considered to be traditional to eat during Ramadan, have also shot up. Vendors blame wholesalers for the increase. The price of poultry went up even before Ramadan, because order numbers are higher than supply. But now we are selling at a higher price because the wholesale price is much higher. But many blame government policies for the inflation, which has almost reached 10 percent. When the government can't control the price, they blame the international market. Do you think people understand or care what the international market is? We shop at local markets. Please don't show us dollar price inflation. As Ramadan approaches, many worry whether they'll be able to afford staple foods and commodities. It's not just food. High inflation has also caused a spike in energy prices, creating a headache for everyone, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Daniel Padwick, TRT World.

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