Despite a series of measures taken by the interim government, including reductions in customs and regulatory duties, the prices of essential commodities such as onions and potatoes remain prohibitively high for the average consumer.
The National Board of Revenue (NBR) recently reduced the import duty on potatoes to 15% and removed the 3% regulatory duty altogether.
Similar exemptions were granted for onions.
However, a visit to some of the kitchen markets in Dhaka on Friday (22 November) showed that these actions have yet to significantly impact market prices.
Local onions were selling at Tk150 per kg, while large Indian onions were priced at Tk110–120 per kg.
Potatoes were retailing at Tk70–75 per kg, with new potatoes fetching Tk120–130 per kg.
Garlic was priced at Tk220–250 per kg, and ginger at Tk180 per kg.
Winter vegetables, though increasingly available, also commanded high prices.
Aubergines were being sold at Tk60–70 per kg, bitter gourds at Tk60 per kg, yardlong beans at Tk90–100 per kg, hyacinth beans at Tk110–120 per kg, local carrots at Tk100 per kg, and Chinese carrots at Tk150 per kg.
Other vegetables such as pointed gourds and snake gourds were priced at Tk60–65 per kg, ladies' fingers at Tk50 per kg, and cucumbers at Tk80 per kg.
Cauliflowers and bottle gourds were retailing between Tk50–60 each, depending on quality.
In the poultry section, broiler chicken was sold at Tk180–190 per kg, Sonali chicken ranged from Tk300–310 per kg, and local chicken fetched Tk520–530 per kg.
Farm eggs were being sold at Tk140–150 per dozen.
Speaking anonymously, a vegetable vendor explained, “Winter is arriving, and the supply of vegetables is gradually increasing. Prices are coming down slightly but not dramatically. It will take time. Once supplies grow significantly, prices will drop further.”
One buyer voiced his frustration: “The government claims to be reducing taxes and increasing imports, yet onion and potato prices remain stubbornly high. Even with winter vegetables arriving, prices are still exorbitant. While there is a slight reduction in costs, the government should intensify market monitoring and, if necessary, enforce stricter controls. If the situation persists as it was before, what is the benefit of these measures?”
Despite the government's efforts, tangible relief for consumers remains elusive, with market dynamics yet to fully reflect the impact of the policy interventions.
