Dhaka, Feb. 18 -- The prices of chicken, chickpeas and fruits have surged in Dhaka's kitchen markets ahead of Ramadan, driven by rising demand and tighter supplies, adding fresh strain on household budgets.

A visit to several markets in the capital on Wednesday found that the prices of chickpeas, lentils, poultry and fruits have increased sharply over the past week, with traders blaming a sudden spike in demand while consumers alleged syndication.

At Karwan Bazar wholesale market, good quality chickpeas were selling at Tk 90-100 per kg. The same item was retailing at Tk 110-115 per kg in Shantinagar, Rampura and Badda, up from Tk 80-85 a week ago.

The prices of lentils also climbed. Anchor daal, which was selling at Tk 50 per kg earlie...