Increase in transport costs because of snapped road-links and rise in labour charge have contributed to the price hike of most of the essentials including rice and vegetables, several traders of different kitchen markets in the capital said yesterday.

Supplies of rice and vegetables are decreasing gradually in the aftermath of the devastating flood coupled with monsoon rainfall has already damaged crop fields in the flood affected areas, disrupting the road communication severely, traders said adding, the prices may shoot up in the days to come.

The Daily Star correspondents visiting retail and wholesale kitchen markets in the city yesterday found severe shortage of supply of essentials.

Prices of most varieties of rice spiralled in the last couple of days.

In last two days, the price of IRRI (coarse) rice has risen to Tk 23 from Tk 20 while the price of miniket rose from Tk 28 to Tk 32. Najirshail sold at Tk 35 yesterday, which was Tk 32 two days ago.

Price of kalijira, the best quality of rice available in the market, has climbed up to Tk 60. It was sold at Tk 50 two days back.

"I did not see such unusual increase in the prices of rice during the last few years," said a trader of Karwan Bazar wholesale rice market.

Traders said fearing more serious crisis due to severe flood, many customers are purchasing larger amount of rice than usual, which also contributed to the price hike.

"I was just astounded to see the price of rice today... the prices of essentials are going beyond our capacity. How can the middle and lower income families afford?" said bank officer Suman Rahman.

Garment worker Sathi, who was buying vegetables from Karwan Bazar, said, "I earn Tk 3,000 per month and my father who is a rickshaw puller earns about Tk 2500... how could I maintain our seven-member family with this small income when the prices of almost all essentials are skyrocketing."

Different types of leafy vegetables, spices, rice, edible oil, flour and lentil -- all saw a rise in their prices.

The prices of leafy vegetables have doubled, rising to Tk 15-30 from Tk 5-12 per kg in a few days.

Potol sold at Tk 28 to 32 per kg yesterday in different retail markets, which was sold at Tk 15 a week back. Price of papaya also rose to Tk 15 from Tk 8.

The prices of green papaya, green banana, pui shak and lal shak and other vegetables rose by Tk 5 to 15 during the last week.

Local onion sold at Tk 25 per kg in retail market last week and is now selling at Tk 35.

The price of soyabean oil has risen to Tk 82 per litre from Tk 78 two days back.

The price of flour rose sharply during the last two days. The price of 1kg pack, which was Tk 30 last week, has leapt to Tk 35 in last two days.

Lentils, which were selling at Tk 72 per kg two days ago, are now selling at Tk 76.

Prices of cumin and cardamom saw a sharp rise in the last few days as the prices of cumin rose to Tk 320 from Tk 270 per kg. Cardamom is being sold at Tk 700 which was sold at Tk 550 a kg.

The price of green chilli has doubled during the last few days, reaching Tk 200 per kg at different retail markets.

Wholesalers of edible oil in Karwan Bazar said the price of soyabean oil may rise further as its supply was very limited yesterday.

The price of egg also rose by Tk 2 per hali (four pieces) as eggs of different types were sold at Tk 18 to Tk 20 a hali in the retail markets.

Mohsina Begum, a customer at Hatirpool Bazar, said she failed to find green chilli in at least five shops.

"I had to pay double the price for vegetables and as such I bought less than my requirement," she said.

Abdul Latif Miah, president of the wholesalers' association at Karwan Bazar market, said many customers could not buy essentials due to shortage of supply yesterday.