Dhaka, Jan. 24 -- Prices of chickpeas, edible oil, and sugar increased in the last week for no plausible reasons.

Prices of the aforesaid items remained high over the past few weeks, though the holy month of Ramadan, when consumption of these items goes up, is weeks away, trading sources said.

Chickpeas were selling between Tk 100 and Tk 130 per kg, depending on their quality. A week ago, they were being sold between Tk 90 and Tk 110 per kg.

Grocer Enamul Hoque at Adabar in the city said wholesalers raised chickpea prices, even though there is no short supply of the item.

He said sugar prices also went up. Packaged sugar was Tk 100-105 per kg and was available just a month ago. "The companies have also decreased the supply of packaged...