Despite the Ministry of Commerce fixing maximum retail prices of potatoes at Tk35-36 per, local onions at Tk64-65, and eggs at Tk12 per piece on Thursday (14 September), shopkeepers are not complying. 

While visiting a kitchen market in the Moghbazar Aambagan area of the capital on Friday (15 September) morning, it was observed that all the shops were still selling eggs for Tk13 each.

Potatoes are still being sold at Tk50 per kilogram, while local onions range from Tk85 to Tk90 per kilogram. Imported Indian onions are being sold for Tk65 to Tk79 per kilogram.

Retailers are not selling goods at the government-set prices, and when asked why, they explained they purchased the goods at higher rates, and will face financial losses if they don't sell at higher prices.

"I purchased eggs at Tk12.5 each, Tk50 per helm [haali] at wholesale. Factoring in other expenses, I would need to sell them for Tk53 per helm just to cover costs," says Hridoy Hossain, owner of a grocery shop in the Aambagan area.

The shopkeeper stressed that retail prices will not drop if wholesale prices do not.

Similar situations have been observed in Karwan Bazar wholesale market, where vendors are also selling products above the government-mandated rates.

In Karwan Bazar, it was found that retailers like Sabbir Hossen are purchasing onions at Tk75 per kg and potatoes at Tk45 per kg, significantly higher than the government caps.

Sabbir Hossen said, "After buying wholesale at prices above the government caps, it becomes challenging to sell at the capped retail prices. "

He demands both monitoring and adjustments in wholesale rates to ensure compliance with government-set prices.