The government has increased sugar price again, by Tk 5 per kg, which will be effective from February 1, 2023. As per discussion with the commerce ministry, a circular has been issued today (January 26, 2023) by the executive secretary of Bangladesh Sugar Refiners Association. After the price hike, the maximum retail price of unpackaged sugar will be Tk 107 while the price of packaged sugar will be Tk 112. Read more: 1250MT sugar on 42 trucks from India stuck at Benapole for a month “Taking into account the price increase in the international market and the exchange rate of the US dollar and the production cost going up, the price of unpackaged sugar per kg has been set at Tk 107 and packaged sugar at Tk 112 per kg – subject to discussion with the Ministry of Commerce,” the notification said. Earlier, the government increased the retail price of sugar in November 2022. Currently, the price of packaged sugar is Tk 107 and unpackaged sugar Tk 102 per kg. In the market, however, unpackaged sugar is sold at Tk 110 and packaged sugar at Tk 120 per kg. The retailers have blamed wholesalers for increasing the sugar price. Read More: Production stops at Joypurhat Sugar Mills for want of sugarcane

Bangladesh Bank (BB) on Wednesday increased exchange rate of a US dollar by Tk 1 to Tk 100. Now, those who will buy dollars from the central bank will have to pay Tk100 for each US dollar. Read more: Exporters to get slightly higher rate of Tk 102 for one US dollar The central bank increased the dollar price within a month. Earlier, the central bank fixed exchange rate of US dollar at Tk 99 on December 5. It says that the price of the dollar has been increased in line with the market price. Central bank spokesperson Masbaul Haque told UNB that the dollar price has been increased to match the market price and it is part of regular initiative. Read more: Remittance: Bangladesh Bank tells banks to provide Tk 107 per dollar