"Retailers are just taking the opportunity of its less supply in the market following Indian government's ban on the export of lentil," said Abdul Baten, pulse importer and owner of the Bayzid Enterprise.

He said they used to sell a kg lentil at Tk 50-54, but the retailers sell it at Tk 65.

He said the import of pulse from India came to an almost halt as no pulse-laden truck entered into Bangladesh from Thursday.

Baten however denied the allegation of syndicating at import stage and said importers do not stock lentil.

He said they are now planning to import lentil from Turkey. It may take nearly one month for Turkish lentil to land in the local market, he added.

The price of other essentials like rice and potato also increased in city kitchen markets.

Each kilogram of coarse rice including pari and BR-28 was found selling at Tk 18.5 to 19.

The price of najirshail also increased by over Tk one a kg and was found selling at Tk 23 while miniket at Tk 27. According to the wholesalers, they are selling najirshal at Tk 21.43 a kg and miniket at Tk 25.19.

"We bear higher transport cost than retailers but they raised the price," said Ibrahim Khalil of Ramganj Rice Agency at Karwan Bazar.

The price of sugar however remained steady.

But the price of per kg potato soared to Tk 18 this week from Tk 16 while the price of Indian garlic declined to Tk 65 from Tk 80 on last Friday.

Jahir, a potato vendor, said production shortfall in line with potato export affected the retail price of potato.