As the nation is set to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha on June 29, the demand for spices is high in Faridpur district as elsewhere. Soaring prices, however, are putting further pressure on the already struggling low-income and middle-income people. Traders in the district blamed shortage of spices behind the price hike. However, people claimed that had the local administration strengthened monitoring the markets, spice prices could be at a tolerable level. Spice market heats up During a recent visit to Chwakbazar in Faridpur city, this UNB correspondent found that local and imported ginger is being sold at Tk 350 per kg while it was Tk 250 last week. Besides, prices of coriander, cloves and cinnamon have also increased ahead of Eid. Meanwhile, cardamom (big) is being sold at Tk 2500-2700 per kg while cumin is being sold at Tk 950 per kg. Spice prices shoot up ahead of Eid despite sufficient stock