Computer parts prices go up in last three months

The price of computer accessories has shot up in the last three months even after the reopening of the economy affected by the pandemic-induced restrictions.

The price of a monitor has increased by around 26 percent and a printer by 21 percent during the period. Business Insider Bangladesh found the latest prices of the computer accessories while visiting Dhaka’s Gausia, Multiplan Centre, Subastu Arcade ICT building on Monday.

Importers, distributors and sellers of the country claimed that low production in the manufacturing countries and a widening supply-demand gap involving chips are the reasons behind the price hikes of computer accessories.

From April through June this year, the prices of all computer components started to increase due to the Covid-19 curbs that prompted educational institutions and businesses to focus on home-based schooling and works and forced manufactures to stop the production.

Monitor

The price of an 18.5-inch monitor has increased by around 28 percent or Tk 3,000 to Tk 10,500 and a 22-inch monitor by Tk 3,000 to Tk 15,000 in three months.

Printer

The price of the Epson-L3110 brand and Canon-16030 brand have gone up by Tk 4,000 respectively during the period. The current price of the Epson-L3110 printer is costing at Tk 18,500 and Canon-16030 printer at Tk 17,500.

Processor

The prices of processors and RAM have decreased slightly. Intel and AMD Raizen processors are being sold at Tk 12,000, a decrease of Tk 2,500.

RAM

RAM is being sold at prices ranging from Tk 4,000 to Tk 4,200, which was from Tk 200 to Tk 300 earlier.

“The production of monitors has declined due to the panel and silicon crisis in the global market. Prices are rising due to the supply crunch. The next two months will see a shortage of monitor supplies for the panel crisis,” said Shahjahan Hossain, senior deputy manager of sales and marketing at Star Tech.

“Schools and colleges have reopened in different parts of the world. That is why the demand for computer accessories is increasing in educational institutions,” said Ashraful Islam, sales officer of Ryans Computers.

“Almost all brands like HP and Dell are not able to deliver products as per the demand. We are selling at a higher price because we have to buy at a higher price. In addition, rising cargo costs have also been linked to the hike of commodity prices,” said Atiqur Rahman, the sales and marketing manager at Smart Technology.

Computer accessories are mostly imported from countries including China, Thailand, Malaysia and Taiwan.