The prices of various spices saw a sharp rise in the past couple of weeks in the capital Dhaka before Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest religious festivals of the Muslims.

The demand for spices usually rises before Eid-ul-Azha which will likely be celebrated in the country on June 17.

Traders blamed inflation and the devaluation of the taka against the dollar for the price surge of the items.

The price of black pepper was at Tk 1,000—1,200 a kilogram on Friday on the retail markets in the capital, while the price was Tk 800-850 a kilogram two weeks before.

The price of white pepper increased to Tk 1,500—1,600 a kilogram from Tk 1,000 a kilogram, that of cardamom rose to Tk 3,500—4,000 a kilogram from Tk 3,000 a kilogram, that of cumin went up to Tk 800—1,000 a kilogram from Tk 600—700 a kilogram, that of cinnamon rose to Tk 650—700 from Tk 500—550 a kilogram and that of cloves increased to Tk 1,800 a kilogram from Tk 1,500 a kilogram in the past two weeks.

Traders said only the prices of turmeric and coriander remained stable in the past two weeks, with the price of turmeric ranging between Tk 350 and Tk 400, and that of coriander Tk 200 a kilogram.

Food inflation continued to maintain an upward trend in May, pushing overall inflation to a seven-month high.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics recorded food inflation at 10.76 per cent in the past month on a point-to-point basis amid the price hikes of almost all necessary essential items.

Retailers said that they were eyeing the forthcoming Eid-ul-Azha for a brisk business as the demand for spices increases during the festival.

The prices of spices showed an upward trend throughout the past month.