With Eid-ul-Adha just around the corner, the demand for spices, an essential part of festive beef dishes, is soaring, and so are the prices. The spice market in Dhaka has turned volatile, with most items being sold at significantly inflated rates. While the prices of a few items have dipped slightly, the cost of key spices has jumped dramatically.

Cardamom, one of the most expensive spices, is now retailing between BDT 5,000 and 6,000 per kg, depending on quality. Cumin has seen a price hike of BDT 50 to 100 per kg compared to last month, and traders predict further increases as Eid nears.

A visit to the capital`s bustling Karwan Bazar on Friday revealed the steep climb in spice prices: cumin is selling for BDT 650–700 per kg, cinnamon for BDT 520, cloves for BDT 1,350, and black pepper for BDT 1,200. Among them, cardamom has become especially unaffordable, with prices ranging from BDT 4,800 to 6,000 per kg depending on size and grade.

"Spice prices may go up even more as Eid draws closer," warned Akhtar Hossain, a local spice trader.

In contrast, the vegetable market has seen a welcome dip in prices. Over the past week, vegetable prices have dropped by BDT 10 to 15 per kg, with most varieties now selling for BDT 30 to 60 per kg. Sellers attribute this drop to ample supply, and consumers are expressing relief.

The rice market is also experiencing a downward trend. With the arrival of new crops, the price of Miniket rice has decreased by BDT 1 to 3 per kg. Atash rice is currently selling for BDT 52 to 54 per kg.

Meanwhile, poultry prices have softened as well. Broiler chicken has become cheaper by BDT 10 per kg, now selling at BDT 150. Sonali chicken is priced between BDT 220 to 230, while local (desi) chicken is going for BDT 600 to 610 per kg.