Dhaka, Feb. 17 -- Prices of many essential commodities, including beef, chickens, lemon, cucumber, dates, green chilli, brinjal, and chickpeas, have risen ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin on Wednesday or Thursday, depending on the moon sighting.

Beef prices started climbing during Shab-e-Barat on the night of February 3.

On Monday, beef was being sold at Tk 800-830 per kg, marking a Tk 50 increase within a week.

Broiler chicken prices rose by Tk 20 per kg over the past week, selling at Tk 200-220 per kg.

Pakistani and Sonali chicken prices increased by Tk 50 per kg, reaching Tk 320-350, according to poultry bird sellers.

Chickpeas were sold at Tk 95-120 per kg depending on quality, up from Tk 90-110 e...