‘I am eating singara, I will not eat bun bread anymore’
The hardship of grassroots residents has increased as the price of bun bread has risen by Tk 5. Photo: Agamir Somoy
The retail price of bun bread has increased from Tk 10 to Tk 15. This was found during visits to various tea stalls and grocery stores in Dhaka. Shopkeepers said the price has increased since last Saturday. They believe the price of bun bread has also increased due to rising prices of various products. The prices of bun bread and cakes have also increased in other parts of the country besides the capital.
Van driver Gias Mia was having an afternoon snack with singara at Karwan Bazar. He said, “I am eating singara because the price of bread has increased. I will not eat bun bread anymore. On other days I would eat a banana and bun bread. I stopped eating it after the price became Tk 15.”
Bakery owners said their expenses have also increased along with the rising prices of essential goods. The price of flour which is the main ingredient for making bun bread has increased. The price of oil has also increased. They also blamed higher wheat import costs. The price of sugar has also increased. They cited the rise in prices of these products as the reason.
Shopkeeper Selim Hossain said, “Bread is selling less than before. So I am also keeping less from the bakery. When customers first hear Tk 15 they seem to be shocked. I have to tell them at least three times that the price of bun bread is Tk 15. I have also had arguments with many people several times.”
Javed said, “The way the prices of goods are increasing makes it increasingly difficult for poor people to survive. We need to have some kind of snack every afternoon. That is why I used to eat bun bread. But a Tk 5 increase means a lot of extra money for us.”
