Dhaka, Jan. 11 -- Amid soaring prices of garlic and ginger in recent weeks, the consumer rights watchdog has identified a wide gap between the retail and wholesale rates of the spices in the city markets as the key reason.

The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has found even higher prices at the groceries.

The gap between Shymabazar wholesale and other markets like Karwan Bazar is Tk 50-70 a kg, said DNCRP official Md Magfur Rahman, who led a drive conducted in the city's key wholesale market Shyambazar on Tuesday.

Besides the price variation, lower imports and local production of the essential spices also played a significant role behind the price spiral, he told the FE, following the drive.

The price of garl...