Dhaka, Feb. 3 -- Most of the spices have gone up in price exorbitantly in a week as traders are on the prowl to raise costs of the items long before Ramadan.

Traders keep on citing low imports amid dollar crisis as the only reason behind this tectonic hike, but sector analysts sense market manipulation behind it.

Meanwhile, egg prices further surged by Tk 10 a dozen last week as brown farm egg reached Tk 140-150 a dozen.

Red chilli and cumin seed saw the highest retail hike than other spices as chilli powder prices hit Tk 650-700 a kg and cumin Tk 700-760 on Thursday.

The price trends were marked at Rayerbazar, Segunbagicha, Shantinagar retail markets and groceries in different areas of the city.

The two items have hiked Tk 60-100 a ...