Bangladesh Breaks 20-Year Trend: Spice Prices Drop Before Eid-ul-Adha
For the first time in two decades, spice prices have dropped ahead of Eid-ul-Adha in Bangladesh. Traders cite easier imports, dismantled syndicates, and stable supply for this surprising trend.
দুই দশকে প্রথমবারের মতো কোরবানির ঈদের আগে বাংলাদেশে মসলার দাম কমেছে। আমদানির সুযোগ, সিন্ডিকেট ভাঙন, এবং পর্যাপ্ত সরবরাহের কারণে এই পরিবর্তন এসেছে বলে জানিয়েছেন ব্যবসায়ীরা। ভোক্তারা স্বস্তি প্রকাশ করেছেন।
Retailers and consumers in Bangladesh are pleased to see a drop in prices for most spices before Eid-ul-Adha. “Except for cardamom, all other prices have gone down this year,” a local shopkeeper told The Insighta. Consumers also shared the same observation, noting that prices usually rise during Qurbani, the annual Muslim ritual of animal sacrifice.
Spices are essential for meat dishes during Eid-ul-Adha, one of the two main Muslim festivals. As a result, the demand for spices typically increases across the country in the weeks leading up to the celebration.
In previous years, dishonest traders and market syndicates would take advantage of this increased demand to raise prices. But this year has been different. Instead of price hikes, most spice prices have dropped — bringing welcome relief to shoppers.
A Record-Breaking Price Drop
Market experts say this is the first time in at least 20 years that prices have dropped before Eid. A comparison of retail prices for 10 common spices shows a clear trend. Prices from June 13, 2024 (before last year’s Eid) are compared with those from June 3, 2025. You can see the details in the chart titled Spice Price Comparison (2024 vs 2025).
Only cardamom saw a price increase — from Tk 3,800/kg last year to Tk 4,200–4,600/kg this year. All other spices show a drop in prices, breaking a two-decade trend of pre-Eid inflation.
It’s worth noting that the 2024 prices were obtained from various local newspapers, while the 2025 prices were collected directly from grocery shops in Lohagara Upazila, Chattogram, and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) website.
Retailers Confirm Widespread Price Drops
Mohammad Delwar, owner of Makkah Store, a grocery shop in Lohagara, Chattogram, told The Insighta that the prices of almost all spices have decreased this year. “Only cardamom prices are on the higher side. Other spices are stable,” he added.
Zamir Uddin, a salesman at Momtaz Store in the same area, shared a similar view. “Almost all spice prices have dropped this year. For example, last year we sold onions at Tk 160–170 per kg, but this year we’re selling them at Tk 60–65. Prices of almost all items have decreased like this.”
Consumers Welcome the Price Relief
Consumers have expressed surprise and relief at the price drop, calling it a welcome change from previous years.
Ali Ahmad, a shopper, said, “Usually, the prices of spices and daily essentials go up before Qurbani, but this year it’s the opposite—they’ve decreased. This is really good for us.”
Mizanur Rahman, another consumer from neighboring Satkania Upazila, said, “This year, the prices of spices and other essentials have dropped before Eid-ul-Adha. In the past, prices used to rise sharply during Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Eid-ul-Adha. But this year, thanks to strict government monitoring and effective action against black marketers and syndicates, prices have remained stable.”
Reasons Behind the Decline
According to traders, the drop in spice prices this year is due to several key factors. Banks have cooperated in opening import letters of credit (LCs), imports have been steady, there is no shortage in supply, market syndicates have been dismantled, and overall consumer demand is relatively low.
SM Nazer Hossain, Vice President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), explained, “Every year, one to two weeks before Qurbani Eid, dishonest traders used to manipulate the market and raise the prices of almost all types of spices several times over.”
This year, however, the situation is different. With no large syndicates controlling the market, a heavy volume of spice imports took place before Eid. As a result, prices have not skyrocketed as they have in previous years.
In the past, only a small number of traders dominated spice imports. This year, imports were more open and accessible. Consequently, the supply of spices in the market has increased significantly.
Amal Saha, a spice importer, told local media, “In the past 20–22 years, I haven’t seen spice prices drop like this before Eid-ul-Adha. You could say this has broken a two-decade record. Several factors are at play here.”
“First, there are no syndicates now. Second, banks are no longer creating obstacles to opening LCs for imports. As a result, more traders are importing, and overall supply has increased. Supply has now exceeded demand—that’s why prices have dropped,” he added.