The prices of local varieties of onion reached Tk110 to 120 per kg in the kitchen markets of Dhaka on Saturday from Tk90 to 97 per kg a week ago, augmenting consumers’ woes.
The traders have increased the onion prices claiming a short supply in the wholesale market from Faridpur and Pabna, the main production hub of the local varieties of onion.
They said the drop in supply is leading to the price hike.
The local variety of onion is selling at Tk110 to 120 per kg, while the imported onion is sold at Tk97 to 104 per kg on Saturday.
General Secretary of Shyambazar Onion Traders' Association Mohammad Majed said the prices of all varieties of local onions increased in the last week due to the supply crunch.
"We are currently importing onions from India where the prices are high," he said.
The cost of imported onions stands at Tk90-95 per kg after calculating import taxes, transportation, and other costs. As a result, the cost of imported onions is also high now, he said.
Majed said the price of the local variety of onion is higher by Tk15 to 20 per kg compared to imported one.
Talking to the correspondent some consumers at Malibagh bazar, Karwar bazar and Hatirpool bazar expressed their anger and disappointment over the abnormal hike in the prices of essentials in the kitchen markets.
Mahmuda Alam, a resident of Malibagh area, said,” Spike in the prices of onions overnight baffled us. What the middle and low income group people will do if prices of meat, vegetables and all other items keep rising this way.”
Johura Begum, who works as a domestic help in Rajarbag area said,” Prices of everything in kitchen markets are high, now we don’t consider onion as our essential item, try to cook without it most of the time.”
Onion imports from India resumed after nearly six months of hiatus on 14 May 2024 after the Indian government lifted its ban on onion exports on 4 May.
On 7 December last year, India imposed a ban on onion exports until 31 March. On 23 March, the ban deadline was extended, declaring an indefinite halt to onion exports.
Bangladesh was among six countries that received an exemption from the ban.
