Trade surges in Khatunganj ahead of strict lockdown

Trade at the Khatunganj market in Chattogram, a wholesale hub for essential commodities, has risen significantly just days before a countrywide strict lockdown to be enforced from Thursday.

A lack of commercial transport facilities and limited sales hours had little effect on the surge in sales following the nationwide lockdown announcement to curb a recent surge in Covid-19 infections, according to various traders.

The rise was marked at both wholesale and retail levels for daily necessities, including rice, pulses, oil, sugar, onions, ginger and garlic.

Wholesale trader Abdur Razzak told The Daily Star that prices rose too during the last two days.

And even though the supply of daily necessities will be normal amid the lockdown, some wholesalers and traders are stockpiling a surplus amount of products, he added.

Nazrul Hoque, a retailer at the Karnaphuli CDA Market, said most traders were buying a surplus of goods due to rising retail sales.

Usually, Chittagong Port Authority and Chattogram Custom House continue their regular activities of exports and imports during lockdowns but the delivery of imported goods has been slightly hampered due to a rise in cost in transporting goods, traders said.